This experiment was conducted to investigate the dietary effects of turmeric powder (TP) on laying performances, egg qualities and its transfer into eggs. A total of two hundred, 60-wk-old, Lohmann Brown layers were divided into 4 groups, placed in to 5 replicates per group (10 layers each) and fed each one of four diets containing 0% TP (control), 0.10, 0.25 or 0.50% TP, respectively, for 7 wks. Egg production in the all groups fed diets containing TP were significantly higher than that in control (P<0.05). No differences in feed intakes, egg and eggshell qualities were observed among the treatments, but Roche color fan number (yolk color) in group fed diet with 0.5% TP was significantly higher than in control (P<0.05). In the groups fed diets containing TP, Haugh units after 2 wk of storage were significantly higher than that of control (P<0.05). The curcumin content of egg yolk in the groups fed diet containing 0.50% TP was significantly higher than those in the other groups (P<0.05). The cholesterol levels of egg yolk were not influenced by dietary TP. It was concluded that dietary TP was effective in improving laying performance and internal egg qualities. TP can be also used as a feed additive for the production of value-enhanced eggs with increased yolk color and curcumin content.

This study was conducted to evaluate dietary effects of Marigold extract on laying performance, egg quality, oxidative stability of egg yolk and lutein transfer into chicken eggs. A total of one-hundred eighty nine 55-wk-old Hy-Line Brown layers were divided into seven groups and fed control diet or each experimental diet containing 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0% Marigold extract. Egg production, egg weight and daily egg mass were not affected by dietary treatments. The yolk colors in groups fed diets containing Marigold extract were significantly higher than that of control. The Haugh unit were tended to be improved by feeding of diets containing Marigold extract although there were no significant difference in egg shell strength and thickness. The MDA (malondialdehyde) contents in groups fed diets containing Marigold extract above 0.5% were significantly reduced than that of control. After 14d of storage, the Haugh unit values in groups feed diets containing 0.3 and 1.0% Marigold extract were significantly higher than that of control (p<0.05). The concentration of lutein in egg yolk increased by feeding of Marigold extract. When 2% Marigold extract was supplemented to the diet, lutein content of egg was increased as much as 1.71 mg/60 g. These results indicated that the use of Marigold extract in layer diets was effective in egg quality and for the production of lutein fortified eggs.