Abstract
The effect of supplementing natural zeolite (NZ) on the laying characteristics and on the internal and external egg quality during laying period of Japanese quails was studied. The laying and average eggs per female were lower in control (C) and the Z1 experimental groups (1% NZ) compare with the Z2 experimental group (2% NZ). The significant effect of the NZ addition in comparison with the C was found in the eggshell weight and yolk index. The eggshell weight of C (1.10±0.01 g) was significantly lower than Z1 (1.18±0.01 g). The quails of Z2 had significantly lower egg weight than Z1. The average egg weight was significantly affected by diet (P≤0.05) and also by age of quails (P≤0.001). At the beginning of the laying, the weight of the eggs (age 1) was significantly lower (12.07±0.12 g at the beginning, 12.38±0.12 g in the middle and 13.38±0.12 g in the end) (P≤0.001). The albumen weight and Haugh unit were significantly influenced by the age of the females. The albumen weight increased with female age (from 6.88 to 8.10±0.09 g). The HU was significantly lower (89.52±0.30) at the age 1 than in age 2 (90.50±0.30) and age 3 (90.57±0.30) (P≤0.05). The yolk index was significantly affected by both diet and age of animals. The significant difference was between C and Z1 (P≤0.05). The highest yolk index was found in youngest female (P≤0.01). The egg quality was mainly affected by age of females. Diet affected investigated traits to a smaller extent.
Highlights
Food quality has been a long-debated issue
The laying and average eggs per female were lower in control (C) and the Z1 experimental groups (1% natural zeolite (NZ)) compare with the Z2 experimental group (2% NZ)
The result of laying performance of control group (C) and group with addition of different concentration of natural zeolite (Z1, Z2) in Japanese quails diet are given in table 2
Summary
Food quality has been a long-debated issue. Current trends in food production are shifting from a quantitative to a qualitative position, which is related to new knowledge about the rational nutrition of the population and to the growing interest of the population in quality food. It is necessary to improve the quality of the feed by adding additives which are able to absorb the harmful substances contained in the feed and improve the quality of the feed Another reason for looking for new alternatives in animal nutrition is the ban on the use of antibiotic growth promoters in animal nutrition. Studies of alternative products that could results in promotion of growth, improvement feed utilization and maintains of gut health are taking place. For this reason natural products are being widely investigated (Haščík et al, 2017; Čuboň et al, 2020; Pavelková et al, 2020). Zeolite is used to modify fermentation processes including buffers, which regulate gut pH and favour the activity of cellulolytic bacteria, compounds to suppress methane production and bloat-preventing compounds, which prevent the build-up of gas trapped in foam (CO2, NH3, H2S, CH4 and some nitrogen combinations) in the caecum fluid (Shibaev and Butko, 1986; Shadrin, 1988)
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