Effect of Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) Seed Supplementation on Egg Quality and Cholesterol of Rhode Island Red×Fayoumi Laying Hens

The present trial was carried out to study the effect of sea buckthorn seed supplementation on egg quality of laying birds. A total of 160 Rhode Island Red× Fayoumi layers was divided into four groups of 40 birds each, which was further replicated four times with 10 hens per replicate. Group one was kept as a control, while other three groups were supplemented with sea buckthorn seed powder at a dose rate of 1 (T1), 2 (T2) and 3 (T3) g/kg of feed. The results showed that egg production was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T3 at the end of the study. Egg weight was significantly (p<0.05) high in T2 and T3 during week 39 and 40. Egg yolk weight was significantly (p<0.05) in T3 compared to the control. Significantly (p<0.01) lower egg cholesterol was recorded in T2 and T3. From the results of the present study, we concluded that laying hens supplemented with sea buckthorn at the rate of 2 and 3 g/kg improved the egg quality parameters and egg cholesterol.