The Effect of a Dietary Innovative Multi-Material on Sex Hormones and Molting Period of Canaries and Laying-Hens

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of offering a multi-material innovative (MMI) feed including: <em>Vitex agnus-castus</em>, <em>Thymus vulgaris</em>, <em>Lavandula angustifolia</em>, Marigold (<em>Calendula officinalis</em>) on curtails molting and sex hormone concentrations in canaries and laying hens. In the first study, a total of 120 female molted canaries were allotted in to 12 cages of 10 birds with 4 replicates for 135 d. Treatments were control (drinking water without MMI) and 1.25 g or 2.25 g MMI dissolved in 1 L of drinking water. In the second study, a total of 72 molted laying hens were allotted to 24 cages of 3 birds with 8 replicates fed with similar treatments of the first study for 21 d. Results showed that at 45, 90, and 135 d, a linear and quadratic decrease (L and Q: P≤0.006) in plasma prolactin and a linear increase (L: P≤0.037) in plasma progestron and estrogen concentrations of canaries as MMI levels increased. On d 21, the plasma concentrations of prolactin (L and Q: P=0.001), progesterone (L: P=0.042), and estrogen (Q: P=0.036) increased in laying hens along with the increasing of MMI levels. Also, the feather rejuvenation of canaries and laying hens was decreased (L and Q: P≤0.018) with increasing MMI levels. The egg production increased in the first (L: P=0.045), second, and third (L and Q: P≤0.005) weeks with no pronounced trends in feed intake and drinking water of laying hens during the experiment. The use of MMI in the drinking water of canaries increased sex hormones production and shortened molting duration. Also, the innovative dietary additive has stimulating effects on egg production of laying hens without impressed feed or water consumption.