Effect of different levels of pennyroyal, nettle and chicory medicinal plants with or without enzyme on performance, egg quality and blood biochemical parameters of laying hens

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of medicinal plant blend (pennyroyal, nettle and chicory) with and without enzyme (Safizym GP 800) on performance, egg quality and blood biochemical parameters of laying hens. The experiment was carried out as a factorial (3×2) (0, 0.75% [0.25% from each plant], 1.5% pennyroyal, nettle and chicory [0. 5% from each plant],) and (0, 0.05% enzyme) in a completely randomized design (CRD) with 216 Hi-line (W36) laying hens in six treatments and three replicates (with twelve hens in each replicate) for a period of 12 weeks during weeks 25-37 of hen ages. Results revealed that the use of different levels of medicinal plant blend, enzyme and interaction between them had significant effects on performance, egg traits and blood biochemical parameters of laying hens (P<0.05). The highest egg production was obtained by using 0.75% medicinal plants blend. The highest amounts of egg specific gravity, blood triglyceride and total protein were obtained by using 1.5% medicinal plants blend. Using 0.05% enzyme significantly improved the performance of laying hens. Regarding interaction effects, the highest performance was found when using the highest egg production percent, highest egg mass and the highest amount of feed 0.75% medicinal plants blend × 0.05% enzyme. The overall results indicated that using 0.75% of medicinal plants (pennyroyal, nettle and chicory) blend with 0.05% enzyme supplementation (Safizym GP 800) could improve the production parameters of laying hens.