Zingiber officinale as a phytogenic additive for laying japanese quails

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing dietary levels of ginger powder (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 %) on the productive performance, nutrient metabolization, egg quality, gastrointestinal tract and bone (tibia and femur) biometry, and blood and tissue biochemical profile of laying Japanese quails. A total of 150 female Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica), aged 40 to 52 weeks, were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and six replicates of five birds each over an 84-day experimental period. Ginger supplementation improved feed conversion ratio, increased the apparent metabolization coefficient of ether extract, and influenced some egg quality traits, including egg weight, yolk color, and eggshell thickness. In addition, it modified biochemical parameters related to lipid and mineral metabolism and promoted changes in gastrointestinal tract biometry, without consistent effects on the birds' bone characteristics. Ginger powder has potential as a phytogenic feed additive for laying Japanese quails, contributing to improved feed efficiency, selected egg quality traits, and the modulation of biochemical parameters, without compromising egg production or bird viability.