Effects of sumac fruit powder (Rhus coriaria L.) supplementation on productive performance, egg quality traits and serum biochemical parameters in old laying hens

This study aimed to investigate the effects of sumac fruit powder (SFP; Rhus coriaria L.) supplementation on productive performance, egg quality traits and serum biochemical parameters in old laying hens. One-hundred-twenty, 54 weeks old Hy-line W36 strain-laying hens were assigned to three treatments, five replicates and eight hens per replicate in a completely randomised design. Experimental diets included: (1) Control (C) without SFP supplementation, (2) 0.25% SFP and (3) 0.5% SFP supplemented diet. The experimental diets were fed for 8 weeks. The results showed that the egg production rate (EPR) and egg mass (EM) significantly reduced, and FCR increased in the SFP group compared to the control group (p < .05). During the first laying period (0–4 weeks), egg yolk percentage (YP), Yolk height (YH) and yolk index (YI) were significantly reduced by SFP supplementation; however, during both laying periods (0–4 and 4–8 weeks), yolk pH increased by 0.5% SFP supplementation as compared to the control group (p < .05). During the second laying period (4–8 weeks), Haugh unit (HU), YH and egg density (ED) significantly reduced in SFP supplemented groups (p < .05). However, albumen pH was significantly increased in both SFP supplemented groups; but, yolk pH and YI were significantly increased only in the group of birds fed diets supplemented with 0.5% SFP compared to the control group (p < .05). The serum biochemical analysis showed that SFP supplementation significantly increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < .05). SFP supplementation significantly reduced triglyceride, cholesterol and VLDL content of serum (p < .05). Also, yolk triglyceride showed a significant reduction through SFP supplementation (p < .05). In conclusion, SFP supplementation in the laying hens’ diet could significantly reduce triglycerides and cholesterol levels and increase the antioxidant status of laying hens. Nevertheless, it might have negative impacts on production performance.Highlights Sumac fruit powder (SFP) can be used as a potential alternative to antibiotics and synthetic antioxidants. SFP can significantly reduce serum cholesterol and triglyceride by interrupting lipid absorbance. SFP can significantly reduce production performance due to reducing blood and, subsequently, yolk lipids levels, especially cholesterol and triglyceride.