Abstract:
The study was conducted to evaluate the ef ects of administering extracts of clove, cardamom, and their combination via drinking water on egg production, egg quality, fertility, hatchability and , blood parameters of White Leghorn layers at Haramaya
University. Total of 180 White Leghorn layers were randomly allocated to four
treatments in completely randomized design with three replications for feeding
period of 70 days. The treatments were T1 (0 ml of the extract),T2 ( 3ml of clove
extract/liter) T3 (3 ml of cardamom extract/liter) and T4 (3ml of equal parts of clove
and cardamom/liter). Feed intake was determined as the dif erence between the feed
of ered and refused. Bodyweight was taken at the beginning and end of the
experiment to determine body weight change. Eggs were daily collected, weighed and
recorded to determine hen-day egg production, egg mass and feed conversion ratio. A total of nine eggs per treatment were randomly taken for evaluation of egg quality
parameters such as eggshell weight, albumen quality, egg yolk quality.The results
obtained indicated that daily feed intake was higher for the groups assigned to T2
compared to the others. Hen-day egg production and egg mass, were significantly
higher (P<0.05) for the groups placed on T2 and T3 than the others.Moreover, feed
conversion ratio (FCR) during the entire feeding period was better and ef icient for
the groups kept on T2 and T3. With the exception of yolk weight, there was no
significant dif erences (P>0.05) among all the treatment groups in fertility, hatchability and all the egg quality parameters. Embryonic mortality was higher
during the early phase of incubation for the groups placed on T4. The administration
of clove and cardamom seed extract decreased (P<0.05) serum cholesterol, LDL- cholesterol, Hb, and WBC levels. On the contrary, there was significant increase in
HDL-cholesterol and Globulin as a result of inclusion of the extracts. Globulin and
total proteins were significantely higher for the groups placed on T2. There was no
significant dif erence between all the treatment groups in PCV (Packed cell volume)
percentage and RBC (red blood cell). Generally; the administering of clove extract in
3ml/1lt of drinking water could increase economic profit without af ecting egg
production performance, quality of eggs, and blood profiles.
