Health status of laying birds administered extracts of Lagenaria breviflora managed under two housing systems

A total of one hundred and twenty-six 20-wk-old Yaffa brown pullets were administered extract of Lagenaria breviflora Robert at three levels: 0 (conventional medication; control), 200, and 300 g fresh weight per 4 L of water; deep litter (DL) and deep litter with run (DLR) with each treatment were subdivided into three replicates of seven birds each. Data obtained on haematological indices, serum metabolites, and excreta analysis at determined periods (5, 10, and 16 wk in lay) were arranged in a 3 × 2 factorial layout in a completely randomized design. Birds dosed 200 g L. breviflora had higher packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), and red blood cell (RBC) compared with 0 and 300 g dosed birds. Increased L. breviflora administration resulted in increased serum glucose except at 16 wk in lay. Housing systems had no effect on lymphocytes and heterophils except at 16 wk in lay, with birds on DLR and DL having higher values, respectively. The total protein concentration in the different housing systems differed significantly through the entire production cycle except at 16 wk in lay. Lagenaria breviflora administration had an effect on (P < 0.05) excreta oocyte per gram only at 5 wk in lay, likewise the interaction of both factors. Rearing of egg-type birds on both modified and administered L. breviflora up to 300 g had no negative effect and greatly improved health status.