Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Graduated Student, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Technology. Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Ahvaz, Iran
2 Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Food Technology, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Ahvaz, Iran
Abstract
The present study was carried out to determine the effects of fenugreek powder (FP) and extract (FE) on performance, egg quality, blood parameters and immune responses of laying hens. One-hundred and fifty Leghorn laying hens were used in a completely randomized design with five treatments and five replicates for eight weeks. Treatments were various levels of FP and FE including zero (control; T1), 1.00% FP (T2), 2.00% FP (T3), 0.10% FE (T4) and 0.20% FE (T5).The results of this experiment showed that feed intake was increased linearly by the inclusion of FP compared to the control group. Supplementation of laying hens diet with 2.00% FP adversely affected feed conversion ratio (FCR). The FCR was decreased by 0.10% inclusion of FE compared to 0.20%. Egg yolk color was the highest when 1% FP added to laying hens diets compared to the other treatments. Serum metabolites and immune responses of laying hens were not affected significantly by fenugreek supplementation. From the results of the present study, it can be concluded that using 1.00% FP can improve feed intake by supporting FCR. Inclusion of 1.00% FP in laying hens diet enhanced egg yolk color of laying hens in the second production cycle.
Keywords
- Brenes A, Roura E. Essential oils in poultry nutrition: Main effects and modes of action. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2010; 158: 1-14.
- Alloui N, Alloui MN, Agabou A. Application of herbs and phytogenic feed additives in poultry production. Glob J Anim Sci Res 2014; 2: 234-243.
- Ahmad A, Alghamdi SS, Mahmood K, et al. Fenugreek a multipurpose crop: Potentialities and improve-ments. Saudi J Biol Sci 2016; 23(2): 300-310.
- Bayatizadeh J, Moradikor N, Olfati A. The effects of different levels aqueous extract of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) on performance and immune response of laying hens. J Essent Oil Bear Pl 2015; 18: 1476-1481.
- Wani SA, Kumar P. Fenugreek: A review on its nutraceutical properties and utilization in various food products. J Saudi Soc Agric Sci 2018; 17: 97-106.
- Al-Aqil AA. Effects of adding dietary fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) powder on productive performance and egg quality of laying hens. Int J Poult Sci 2016; 15: 259-268.
- Criste RD, Panaite T, Bercaru A, et al. Study on the use of fenugreek in laying hens diets on egg quality. In proceedings: 19th European symposium on poultry nutrition. Potsdam, Germany 2013; 1-5.
- Movahedian A, Ghannadi A, Vashirnia M. Hypo-cholesterolemic effects of purslane extract on serum lipids in rabbits fed with high cholesterol levels. Int J Pharmacol 2007; 3(3): 285-289.
- Michael D, Kumawat D. Legend and archeology of fenugreek, constitutions and modern applications of fenugreek seeds. In proceedings: International Hydro-metallurgy Symposium. Dallas; USA 2003; 41-42.
- Platel K, Srinivasan K. Influence of dietary spices and their active principles on pancreatic digestive enzymes in albino rats. Nahrung 2000; 44(1): 42-46.
- El-Mallah GM, Ibrahim SAM, Abdo MAZ. Garlic and fenugreek as feed additives to different levels of protein and energy in diets of growing turkeys. Egypt Poult Sci 2005; 25: 911-929.
- El-Kaiaty AM, Soliman AZ, Hassan MSH. The physiological and immunological effects of some natural feed additives in layer hen diets. Egypt Poult Sci 2002; 22: 175-183.
- Abdalla AA, Mona AM, Abaza IM, et al. Effect of using some medicinal plants and their mixtures on productive and reproductive performance of Gimmizah strain 2-egg production period. Egypt Poult Sci 2011; 31: 641-654.
- Khan FU, Ullah A, Rehman S, et al. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) effect on muscle growth of broiler chicks. Res Opin Anim Vet Sci 2011; 1: 1-3.
- Pant NC, Tewari M, Dhoundiyal R, et al. Evaluation of micronutrients in fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.): A viable alternative for micronutrient supplementation. Int J Curr Microbiol Appl Sci 2018; 7: 2446-2464.
- Nobakht A. The effects of different levels of Portulaca oleracea, medicinal plant, on performance, egg quality, blood biochemical and immunity parameters of mature laying hens. Iranian J Appl Anim Sci 2014; 4: 393-397.
- Park JH, Kim YM, Kim IH. Egg production, egg quality, blood profiles, cecal microflora, and excreta noxious gas emission in laying hens fed with fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seed extract. J Pult Sci 2018; 55: 47-53.
- Pettersson D, Aman P. Production responses and serum lipid concentration of broiler chickens fed diets based on oat bran and extracted oat bran with and without enzyme supplementation. J Sci Food Agric 1992; 58: 569-576.
- El-Kloub M. Effect of using commercial and natural growth promoters on the performance of commercial laying hens. Egypt Poult Sci 2006; 26: 941-965.
- El-Hack MEA, Alagawany M. Performance, egg quality, blood profile, immune function, and antioxidant enzyme activities in laying hens fed diets with thyme powder. J Anim Feed Sci 2015; 24(2): 127-133.
- Weerasingha AS, Atapattu NSBM. Effects of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seed powder on growth performance, visceral organ weight, serum cholesterol levels and the nitrogen retention of broiler chicken. Trop Agric Res 2013; 24(3): 289-295.
- Dixit P, Ghaskadbi S, Mohan H, et al. Antioxidant properties of germinated fenugreek seeds. Phytother Res 2005; 19(11): 977-983.
- Madar Z, Stark AH. New legume sources as therapeutic agents. Br J Nutr 2002; 88 (Suppl 3): S287-S292.
)