IMPACT OF MANGANESE HYDROXYCHLORIDE ON EGG QUALITY, ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY, BONE CHARACTERISTICS, AND MINERAL EXCRETION IN LAYING QUAIL

Abstract

This research investigated the impact of different concentrations of manganese hydroxychloride (MnH) on productive performance, egg quality, antioxidant status, tibia characteristics, and mineral excretion in laying quails. A total of 125 female ten-week-old female quails, were divided into five groups with five subgroups, each containing five quails. The birds were fed isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets with different levels of MnH (containing 55 g/100 g Mn) at 18.86 mg/kg (basal diet), 40, 60, 80, and 100 mg/kg for twelve weeks. Results indicated that MnH supplementation enhanced egg production and feed intake (P < 0.05) compared to the non-supplemented group. The optimal eggshell quality, including shell- breaking strength, thickness, and weight, was observed at 80 mg/kg MnH (P<0.01) compared to the basal diet. Regarding the antioxidant capacity in the yolk, the yolk's 2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) value increased significantly (P<0.01) with 100 mg/kg MnH supplementation, while malondialdehyde (MDA) values remained unaffected across all groups. Increasing dietary MnH levels elevated Mn excretion in faeces and reduced copper levels (P<0.01). However, MnH addition adversely affected tibia biomechanical properties compared to the basal diet (P<0.01), with no significant impact on tibia mineral accumulation (P>0.05). These results suggest that including 80 mg/kg MnH in laying quail diets would be adequate to improve certain aspects of production and eggshell quality, although its impact on bone parameters requires further investigation.