Effects of Supplementation with Powder from Various Medicinal Plants on Productivity and Quality of Eggs from Laying Hens

To evaluate the effect of feed supplementation based on a mixture of from medicinal plants powder (40 % Psidium guajava L.; 20 % Morinda citrifolia L.) on production and quality of eggs from laying hens, 160 White Leghorn hybrid hens (L-33), 27 weeks old, were grouped in one control group without additives, and three feed supplements for 70 days, following a completely randomized design. The three supplements included a powder mixture (0.5; 1.0; and 1.5 %). The birds showed no morbi-lethality after consuming the complementary diets. Supplementation of 1.0 % of the mixture increased laying intensity (83.93 %). However, egg weight, live weight, feed consumption, rejected eggs, yolk color, and sensorial quality of the yolk and albumin, had significant differences (P > 0.05) among the treatments. Supplementation with 1.0 % of the powder increased (P < 0.05) the shell thickness (0.27 mm); whereas yolk height and white thickness remained without significant differences (P > 0.05). The inclusion of 1.0 % of the mixed powder is recommended in the diet of laying hens to increase egg production and shell thickness.