Effect of Using Moringa Oleifera Leaf Meal as Feed Additives on Japanese Quail During Lying Period

Abstract

study was conducted to evaluate effects of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) inclusion in Japanese quail rations during lying period on egg laying performance, egg quality parameters, fertility, and hatchability. A total number of 120 females and 60 males Japanese quail 56 day old were distributed randomly into four treatment groups, each of 3 replicates of 10 females and 5 males. Dietary treatments were designed to contain 0.0 (control), 0.2, 0.4and 0.6% Moringa oleifera leaf meal as growth promoters in Japanese quail diets. Data on feed consumption (FC), hen-day egg production, egg weight, and egg mass as well as mortality were recorded daily. Egg quality parameters were measured at the last week (20wks). Fertility and hatchability of eggs, as well as mortality of birds and embryonic mortality of fertile eggs during the incubation period were recorded. The obtained results can be summarized as follows: Diet supplemented with 0.4% followed by 0.2% MOLM recorded higher egg production values but 0.4, 0.6% recorded higher average egg weight during different periods. Most external and internal egg quality parameters, especially yolk color, were improved when the diet contained MOLM. Supplementation of MOLM at 0.4% and 0.6% levels had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher WBCs, RBC, Hb and Ht than control. Increasing MOLM level up to 0.6% presented significantly (P ≤ 0.05) the highest total plasma protein and globulin. Total lipid, cholesterol and LDL decreased significantly and HDL increased significantly by MOLM supplementation. Total antioxidant capacity was significant higher at 0.6 and 0.4% MOLM. Diet supplemented with all levels of MOLM presented significantly (P ≤ 0.05) excellent fertility, but level 0.4% improved hatchability per total egg, while level 0.6% improved hatchability per fertile egg. In conclusion, MOLM up to 0.6% of supplementation to the diet had better positive effects on egg production, egg quality parameters, eggs fertility, and hatchability of Japanese quail.