Effects of noni leaf (Morinda citrifolia) extract on performance and egg quality of laying quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Abstract

One hundred and sixty of laying quail, 12 weeks old, were randomly placed on five treatments and five replicates in eight birds per replicate. They were kept according to the standard management for seven weeks. The basal diet comprised mainly corn, rice bran, soybean, and was mixed at 20% of protein content. Phytobiotic source was the noni extract (MC). Experimental diets were basal diet only (MC0), a basal diet with 0.01% of MC (MC1), a basal diet with 0.02% of MC (MC2), a basal diet with 0.03% of MC (MC3) and a basal diet with 0.04% of MC (MC4). Experimental birds were having free access to the diets and drinking water. The variables were feed intake, daily egg production, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and quality of egg including egg weight, yolk index, albumin index, eggshell thickness and haught unit (HU). Data were analysed using ANOVA and the Duncan test for comparison. The results proved that noni leaf extract supplementation in the quail diet produced a non-significant effect on feed intake, daily egg production, and egg quality (P>0.05), but it improved the eggshell thickness by 4.75% (P<0.05) and elevated the value of HU by 6.5% and improved FCR (P>0.05). In conclusion that noni leaf extract (MC) may improve quail performance, and egg quality by elevating the thickness of the eggshell.