Abstract

A total number of 480 hens and 48 cocks from Inshas and Dokki4 strains of 32 weeks old were divided into 12 groups with 2 replicates each (20 hens+2 cocks). The experiment had a 2×3×2 factorial arrangement of treatments with two strains (Inshas and Dokki4), three types of natural antioxidants in the diet (control, 0. 25% thyme and 0. 25% anise) and two levels of sodium sulphate (0 and 0.5%). The experimental groups were fed on the experimental diets from 32 to 44 weeks of age. After 4 weeks of the experiment, the eggs were collected from each treatment were incubated weekly in the incubator. Fertility % and hatchability % of the total eggs and fertile eggs were calculated and the main results obtained can be summarized as follows: Addition of thyme or anise to laying hens diet numerically increased egg number and improved feed conversion. Addition of thyme or anise increased antioxidant capacity in plasma, while decreased LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, triglyceride and total lipids in blood plasma, liver and yolk extract. Addition of thyme tended to improve fertility and hatchability while anise tended to decrease these parameters. The response to sulphate depended on the strain and type of natural antioxidant. The combination of thyme and sulphate is the most successful additive for improving fertility and hatchability under the condition of this study.

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