Phytogenic Additives Enhance Welfare and Egg Quality in Laying Japanese Quail without Affecting Performance

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Poultry Science
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Intensive quail production often involves stress, impacting bird welfare and productivity.
• Phytogenic additives are explored as natural alternatives to manage stress and improve production parameters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of Passiflora incarnata and Pimpinella anisum supplementation on laying quails.
• To assess impacts on performance, egg quality, physiological stress indicators, and behavior.

Main Methods:

• 120 laying quails were divided into control, Passiflora incarnata, and Pimpinella anisum groups (1.00 mg/kg each).
• Evaluations covered 56 days, assessing performance, egg quality, body/cloacal temperatures, behavior, tonic immobility, injuries, and feather condition.

Main Results:

• Supplementation did not affect performance, tonic immobility, feather quality, or lesions.
• Passiflora incarnata supplementation lowered chest temperature.
• Aggressive behaviors significantly decreased in supplemented groups, while egg quality, particularly yolk pigmentation, improved.

Conclusions:

• Passiflora incarnata and Pimpinella anisum supplementation can improve egg quality and reduce aggression in laying quails.
• These phytogenic additives offer a practical strategy for enhancing welfare and stress adaptation in commercial quail systems.