EFFECT OF MIXTURES OF RUTA GRAVEOLEN (Ruta chalepensis L.), CORIANDER (Coriandrum sativum L.) AND BASIL (Ocimum basilicum) SEED EXTRACTS IN DRINKING WATER ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE, SOME BLOOD PROFILES AND EGG QUALITY OF WHITE LEGHORN

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of mixtures of Ruta Graveolen (Ruta chalepensis L.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), and basil (Ocimum basilicum) seed extracts in drinking water on productive performance, some blood profiles, egg quality, egg chemical composition, and economic benefit of white leghorn at Haramaya University poultry farm for 8 weeks. One hundred eighty White Leghorns (WL) layer at twenty- six weeks of age were randomly distributed to four treatments, each replicated three times with fifteen layers per replications in a completely randomized design and kept on a deep litter system. The treatment was used water contains mixtures of ruta graveleon (Rg), coriander (C), and basil (B) seed extract 0 ml, 2 ml, 4ml, and 6 ml per liter of water for T1, T2, T3, and T4 respectively. The chicken was offered a weighed amount of feed and feed leftover was collected and weighed the next morning. The weight of experimental animals was taken at the beginning and end of the experiment. Data were subjected to analysis of variance for all parameters considered and logistic regression for yolk color. The partial budget analysis was undertaken to evaluate the economic benefits of the different levels of Rg, C, and B seeds extracts in drinking water. Chicken fed T3 had higher (103.23g) feed intake than T2 T1, and T4 with the value of 100.53g, 99.77g, and 98.53g(SEM=0.96) respectively. But statistically similar to T2. The HDEP was significantly (P<0.05) higher for layers fed T3 (50.75%). The egg mass during the entire period was 22.97g, 25.44g, 27.48g, and 24.01g (SEM = 0.84) for T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively. The body weight change during the entire period was significantly (P<0.01) higher for T3 (174.44g) than the other treatments. The Feed conversion ratio (FCR) during the entire period was 4.34, 3.96, 3.77, and 4.10 (SEM = 0.12) for T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively, and also best for T3. Yolk color in T3 attained significantly (P<0.05) higher than T2, T4, and T1 with the value of 4.45, 4.13, 4.00 and, 3.63, respectively; while statistically similar to T2. The albumen protein (AP) during the entire period was 62.19%, 63.15%, 64.46%, and 69.78% (SEM = 1.24) for T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively, and significantly higher in T4. The inclusion of Rg, C, and B seed extract decreased (P<0.01) serum cholesterol and decreased (P <0.05) LDL-cholesterol, Hb, and WBC (white blood cell) levels. HDL-cholesterol and Globulin were increased significantly (P<0.01) but, Globulin was higher in T3. The TP levels were significant (P<0.001) very highly at T3 than other treatments. The PCV (Packed cell volume) percentage and RBC (red blood cell) were statistically unchanged by Rg, C, and B seed extracts powder offered with drinking water as a natural feed additive. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) among treatments in egg weight, Albumen (weight, height, and HU), yolk (weight, height, index, and diameter), shell weight, shell thickness, the chemical composition of both egg albumen and yolk except on the albumen protein content, serum albumin, Parameters considered in the partial budget analysis were feasible in T3. Generally; the mixtures of Rg, C, and B seed extracts in 4ml/1lt in drinking water could increase economic profit without affecting egg production performance, quality of eggs, and blood profiles.