Egg production, egg quality, and cecal microbial populations of layers fed diets supplemented with fermented phytogenic feed additive

This study was undertaken to examine the effect of fermented phytogenic feed additive (FPFA) containing Gynura procumbens and Rehmannia glutinosa on egg production, egg quality, and cecal microflora population in layers. In total, 288 Hy-Line brown layers were randomly divided into 4 dietary treatment groups with 6 replicate pens per treatment group for 5 weeks. The dietary treatments were the control group (CON; basal diet without FPFA), FPFA1 (CON + 0.5% FPFA), FPFA2 (CON + 1% FPFA), and FPFA3 (CON + 2% FPFA). Egg production and egg weight during the experiment (35-39 weeks) improved linearly with the supplementation of 1% and 2% FPFA. Eggshell strength, albumen height, and Haugh unit were significantly higher in birds fed 1% or 2% FPFA compared with the control group. The cecal microflora populations of Lactobacillus showed a linear increase, whereas cecal microflora populations of E. coli showed a linear decrease related to the level of FPFA addition in the diet. The results of the experiment indicate that adding 1% and 2% FPFA (but not 0.5% FPFA) to the diet of layers can improve their laying performance, egg weight, eggshell strength, albumen height, Haugh unit, and cecal microflora; therefore, diets containing FPFA may enhance the physiologic condition of layers during the laying period.