Paprika and/or marigold extracts in diets for laying hens

SUMMARY This study was performed to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of paprika and marigold extracts in sorghum-based rations on the productivity and egg quality of laying hens. One hundred sixty laying hens were distributed in a completely randomized design in five treatments and in a factorial arrangement (2 × 2 + 1), one control ration based on corn, two levels of paprika extract (0 and 6 g/kg diet), and two levels of marigold extract (0 and 1 g/kg diet) in sorghum-based rations. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of the treatments on the weight, specific weight, and Haugh unit of the eggs and productive performance, but the inclusion of paprika extract resulted in eggs with lower egg pH. The interaction between the control group and the factorial was significant (P < 0.05) to the laying rate, egg mass, and yolk color, whose values were lower with sorghum-based diets with no pigment compared to control treatment. The interaction between the paprika and marigold extracts was significant increasing the height (P < 0.03) and color (P < 0.0001) of the yolk when paprika extract was used, with or without marigold extract. Marigold extract inclusion reduced the percentage (P < 0.02) and thickness (P < 0.01) of the eggshell. As conclusion, the inclusion of paprika extract in sorghum-based diets for laying hens is viable for improving the egg quality.摘要 本研究旨在评估在高粱基日粮（sorghum-based rations）中添加辣椒提取物（paprika extract）与金盏花提取物（marigold extract）对产蛋鸡生产性能与蛋品质的影响。试验选取160羽产蛋鸡，采用完全随机设计，设置5个处理组，采用2×2+1析因设计安排：包含1组玉米基对照日粮，以及高粱基日粮框架下的2×2析因处理组（即两个水平的辣椒提取物添加量：0与6 g/kg日粮，两个水平的金盏花提取物添加量：0与1 g/kg日粮）。 结果表明，各处理组对蛋重、蛋比重、哈氏单位（Haugh unit）及生产性能均无显著影响（P > 0.05），但添加辣椒提取物可使鸡蛋pH值降低。对照组与析因处理组的交互作用对产蛋率、蛋总重与蛋黄颜色存在显著影响（P < 0.05）：与对照组相比，未添加色素的高粱基日粮组相关指标数值更低。 辣椒提取物与金盏花提取物的交互作用可显著提升蛋黄高度（P < 0.03）与蛋黄颜色（P < 0.0001），无论是否同时添加金盏花提取物，仅添加辣椒提取物时即可观察到该效应。 添加金盏花提取物可降低蛋壳百分含量（P < 0.02）与蛋壳厚度（P < 0.01）。 综上，在产蛋鸡的高粱基日粮中添加辣椒提取物可有效改善蛋品质，具备实际应用可行性。