ABSTRACT This study was conducted to evaluate the anticoccidial potential of Artemisia brevifolia extract (ABE) and its effect on biochemical parameters against experimental coccidiosis in broiler chickens. For this purpose, a total of 150 broiler chicks were procured and divided into 5 equal groups (30 birds per group). At one week of age, the first three groups (A, B and C) were orally fed with ABE at dose rates of 100, 200 and 300mg/kg respectively for seven consecutive days. Group D served as infected/medicated and was treated with Baycox® (1ml/L of water). Group E served as the infected/non-medicated control group. At two weeks of age, all groups were infected with 50,000 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella. The anticoccidial potential was evaluated based on lesion score, oocyst score, fecal score, feed conversion ratio, and mortality (%). Furthermore, the effect of ABE on hematological parameters and serum chemistry was also evaluated by following standard procedures. The anticoccidial effects were compared with the standard drug Baycox® (p>0.05). Results of the study showed the anticoccidial activity of ABE in terms of lesion diminishing, oocyst and fecal scores, better feed conversion ratios, and mortality reduction (%). The ABE also improved hematological parameters and stabilized the serum enzymes (ALT, LDH, Creatinine) of infected chicks (p>0.05).

This study was conducted to appraise the effects on egg quality and production performance of laying hens when drinking water was supplemented with calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg). A total of 384 (64-week-old) Hy-line Brown laying hens were assigned at random to four treatments, which consisted of CON: unsupplemented drinking water; T1: drinking water + 2 mg/L Ca + 250 mg/L Mg; T2: drinking water + 4 mg/L Ca + 510 mg/L Mg /10 L; and T3: drinking water + 5 mg/L Ca and 760 mg/L Mg. The experiment lasted six weeks. Water intake increased linearly in week 1 with the rising levels of Ca and Mg in the drinking water. Increasing the Ca and Mg levels improved eggshell strength (week 2 (P =0.01), week 5 (P =0.01), and week 6 (P = 0.03), and eggshell thickness (week 6) (P =0.02) and reduced the rate at which eggs were broken (week 4) (P =0.01). The supplemental Ca and Mg did not affect egg production, egg weight, Haugh unit, albumen height, eggshell colour, and yolk colour compared with CON. Nor did they influence the Haugh unit and albumen height after storing for 1, 5, 10 and 15 days. In conclusion, adding Ca and Mg to the drinking water increased the thickness and strength of the eggshells.

ABSTRACT Phytogenic feed additives have been increasingly used in the last decade, and several plants and their metabolites have been investigated for the said purpose. In this context, present study aimed at evaluating the effects of Moringa oleifera as feed additive on layer performance, and egg bioactive compound levels and nutrient profile. HyLine W36 layers (n=200), 50 weeks of age, were randomly distributed in four treatments with five replicates of ten birds each. Four isocaloric (2725 kcal/kg) and isonitrogenous (CP 16%) diets were formulated and supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5% (w/w) of dried Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MLM). The results showed positive effects of MLM on egg production, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio, but negative effects on egg quality (p≤0.05). The contents of bioactive compounds, like β-carotene, quercetin, and selenium, in the diet and in the egg yolk were significantly (p≤0.05) higher in the group fed1.5% MLM, with values of 8.90, 48.88, and 0.54 mg/kg feed and 4906, 241 and 56.82 µg/100g yolk, respectively. Creatinine and glucose serum levels and cholesterol levels (serum and eggs) linearly increased as a function of increasing MLM dietary levels (p≤0.05). Antibody titers against Newcastle Disease significantly improved (p≤0.05) in the group fed the diet supplemented with 1.5% MLM. It was concluded that Moringa oleifera used as phytogenic feed additive enriches eggs with bioactive and functional compounds, and improves the production performance and the health status of layers.

The present study was designed to investigate the influence of Moringa oleifera (Lam.) pod meal (MPM) on production, immunity, and functional food index of chicken eggs. Two hundred HyLine W36 layer birds aged 50 weeks, 1469 ± 46.63 g, were assigned to four treatments in a completely randomized design, with five replicates and ten birds each. Diets A, B, C, and D were formulated with the same caloric and protein levels, but with differing MPM dose levels of 0, 5, 10, and 15g MPM/kg finisher diet, respectively. Data for production performance, quality, and chemical composition of eggs were analysed by one-way ANOVA, and means were compared with Duncan's multiple range test. As a result of this study, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and egg mass (EM) were significantly decreased and recorded lowest in Group B, which was offered 5 g/kg above the basal diet. Bioactives such as β-carotene, quercetin, and selenium levels were increased (540, 121, & 72.21µg/100g of yolk, respectively), whereas cholesterol levels in egg yolk and serum were decreased significantly, that is, 201.87 mg/100g and 8.47 mg/dl, respectively. Serum biochemical indicators, including serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), glucose, creatinine and cholesterol levels, were lowered significantly. Proximate analysis of egg yolk showed that moisture and ether extract were decreased, whereas crude protein (CP), ash and minerals, sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and phosphorus (P) contents were increased. The outcomes of this study showed that MPM supplementation affects EM, serum biochemistry and bioactive compounds of the egg yolk positively.