Influences of dietary supplementation of ginger powder and frankincense oil on productive performance, blood biochemical parameters, oxidative status and tissues histomorphology of laying Japanese quail

The objective of the current study was to ascertain the effect of using ginger powder or frankincense oil at different levels on the production rate, biochemical properties of blood, and immune response of laying Japanese quail housed from 12 to 21 wk of age. Three hundred sexually mature quail (200 females and 100 males) were distributed among 5 groups at 12 wk of age in a completely randomized design. Group 1: received basal diet not including additives and acted as a control group. Groups 2 and 3: received a basal diet with 250 and 500 mg ginger/kg feed, respectively. Groups 4 and 5: received a basal diet with 200 and 400 mg frankincense oil/kg feed, respectively. Results revealed that egg production parameters of laying Japanese quail were not influenced by ginger or frankincense oil added in all groups tested during experimental periods except at the time (15–18 wks.). Moreover, egg weight was significantly increased only during the period (15–18 wks.) and total period (12–21 wk of age), and group 5 recorded the highest weight during the 2 periods studied. Feed additives did not impact feed consumption or feed conversion ratio (FCR). Except for WBCs, Hb, and monocytes, treatments impacted blood hematological parameters. Also, blood serum parameters were influenced by feed additives, except total protein, albumin, globulin, and creatinine were not influenced. Moreover, histological examination of the spleen was influenced by feed additives. It is concluded that utilizing frankincense oil or ginger powder in diets of laying Japanese quails enhanced blood serum properties and improved reproductive and productive performance.