Effects of Thyme-supplemented Diet on Laying Hens Eggs' Shape, Volume and Surface Area

Abstract

In the study, a mathematical model with bare minimum variables that may easily be interpreted with least-squares calculations was presented for the egg size assessments to investigate the effects of thyme supplementation on the geometrical properties of laying hens' eggs. A total of 120 24-week-old Lohmann-LSL (initial live body weight = 1350 g +/- 80 g) hens were used in the study. The experimental groups received different concentrations (0.1 %, 0.5 %, and 1 %) of thyme supplementation, while the control group was fed with the standard laying hens ration for 30 days. Two eggs from each sub-group (10 eggs per the main groups) were collected weekly to evaluate the eggs' geometrical properties. All collected eggs were digitally photographed, and the measurements concerning egg volume, length, width, and surface area were performed on the digital images at the end of week 4. Overall, data revealed a significant decrease (p =0.009) in the egg length with the highest thyme concentration. The study was designed as a method modeling in an attempt to provide contributions to the further studies to be carried out with higher concentrations of thyme or other phytogenic additives to monitor the potential effects of the relevant supplements on the eggs' metrics.