Effects of dietary Elaeagnus angustifolia and ginger root powders on performance, egg quality, serum traits, ileal histomorphology, and organ traits of late-phase Lohmann LSL-Lite laying hens.

The current study evaluated the effects of Elaeagnus angustifolia powder (EAP), Ginger root powder (GRP), and their interaction on performance, egg quality, ileum histomorphology, serum metabolites, differential leukocyte counts, and organ characteristics of Lohmann LSL-Lite laying hens. 144 Lohmann laying hens, 92 weeks of age, were assigned to a completely randomized design with four treatments, each comprising six replicates of six birds. For eight weeks, hens received one of four diets: a control diet (without additive), a diet supplemented with 7.5 g/kg EAP, a diet supplemented with 5 g/kg GRP, and a diet supplemented with both 7.5 g/kg EAP and 5 g/kg GRP. A significant interaction between GRP and EAP was observed on egg production and FCR in the second phase (97-100 wk), yolk percentage, pancreas weight, villus height, width and surface area (P < 0.05). During weeks 97 to 100 of age, hens fed the experimental diets showed higher egg production, along with a lower FCR, than hens fed the CON (P < 0.05). Specific gravity, pancreas weight increased when EAP was used compared to when it was not used, however, yolk percentage and serum TG decreased (P < 0.05). Single and combined use of GRP and EAP increased villus height, width, surface area, and SOD, while decreasing MDA (P < 0.05). Overall, the findings demonstrate that dietary supplementation with EAP and GRP can improve productive performance, gut health, antioxidant capacity, and metabolic efficiency in aging laying hens.