JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND VETERINARY MEDICINE
Integrity Research Journals
ISSN: 2536-7099
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/JASVM
Start Year: 2016
Email: jasvm@integrityresjournals.org
Effects of dietary turmeric rhizome powder supplementation on egg quality and production of laying hens
https://doi.org/10.31248/JASVM2026.634 | Article Number: 78B5AD422 | Vol.11 (2) - April 2026
Received Date: 22 January 2026 | Accepted Date: 03 March 2026 | Published Date: 30 April 2026
Authors: Imoru Aruna* and Babadipe Sehinde Samson
Keywords: Cholesterol, turmeric., laying hens, internal and external egg quality
The six-week study, carried out at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, investigated the impact of dietary turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizome powder on the performance and egg quality characteristics of laying hens. Forty-eight, 16-week-old Isa Brown hens were assigned to three treatments: a control group (T1) with 0 g/kg turmeric rhizome powder (TRP), T2 with 5 g/kg TRP, and T3 with 10 g/kg TRP. Key performance indices, including egg production, shell thickness, yolk colour, albumen weight, and cholesterol levels, were assessed using a completely randomised design (CRD). Results showed that turmeric supplementation improved egg production, as T2 recorded 426 eggs, thereby outperforming (p<0.05) T1 with 415 eggs. External egg quality was significantly (p<0.05) enhanced by additive TRP, as T3 had the highest shell thickness of 0.68 mm compared to 0.53 mm in T1. Internally, yolk pigmentation increased (p<0.05) with turmeric inclusion as T3 had a score of 4, and T1 recorded 3, likely due to curcuminoid pigments inherent in TRP. Cholesterol levels decreased significantly (p<0.05) with higher TRP doses, from 23.3 mg in T1 to 5.82 mg in T3, suggesting a cholesterol-lowering effect. Also, T3 showed the highest (p<0.05) albumen weight of 37.0 g, indicating improved protein deposition. In conclusion, turmeric supplementation enhances laying performance, egg quality, and yolk pigmentation while significantly reducing cholesterol levels, highlighting potential nutritional benefits. Further research is needed to determine optimal dosage levels and long-term effects on egg production characteristics and the nutritional composition of eggs.
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