Effects of using different levels of Pennyroyal (Mentha plugium L.) and Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) medicinal plants on performance and Blood metabolites of Japanese Laying Quails

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

This experiment was conducted to assess the effects of using different levels of pennyroyal and thyme medicinal plants on performance, egg quality, blood biochemical and immunity cells of Japanese Laying Quails. This study carried out in as factorial (2×2) include 2 levels of pennyroyal (0 and 0.75%) and 2 levels of thyme (0 and 0.75%) in 4 treatments, 4 replicates and 15 laying quails in each replicate in 5 weeks from 6 up to 11 weeks of quail ages in a completely randomized design. The results showed that using different levels of pennyroyal, thyme and interaction between them, significantly affect the egg weight, egg traits and blood immune cells of laying quails (P<0.05). Using 0.75% of pennyroyal significantly increased the amounts of daily feed intake and feed conversion. Using 0.75% of thyme significantly increased the amount of egg weight. Interaction between thyme and pennyroyal did not have any significant effects on performance of quails. Using thyme and pennyroyal and interaction between them significantly increased the eggshell quality and decreased the Haugh unit. By using thyme the percentage of heterophil decreased and the percentage of lymphocyte increased. Increase in heterophil percentage was seen in interaction between thyme and pennyroyal. Using thyme and pennyroyal and interaction between them did not have any significant effects on blood biochemical traits of laying quails (P>0.05). The overall results indicated that in laying quails, using 0.75% of thyme has positive effects on egg weight, eggshell quality and level of immune cells, whereas using 0.75% of pennyroyal has adverse effects on performance, but improve the eggshell quality. Using pennyroyal and interaction between thyme and pennyroyal decreased the Haugh unit of quail's eggs.

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Animal Sciences Journal
Volume 28, Issue 109
March 2016
Pages 3-14

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