Effect of Different Levels of Fennel Extract and Vitamin D3 on Post Molt Broiler Breeder Performance

A factorial arrangement with three levels (0, 50 and 100 mg/kg of diet) of fennel extract (FE) and three levels (0, 3500 and 4200 IU/kg of diet) of Vitamin D3 (VitD3) was carried out with 360 Ross 308 broiler breeders after molting (84 - 92 weeks). Broiler breeders were weighed at 18 weeks after molting (82 weeks of age) and then randomly distributed into 36 pens with a similar mean body weight. Each pen consisted of 10 hens and 1 rooster. The birds received experimental diets during 84-92 weeks of age. Performance data were recorded daily and egg quality traits were recorded every 4 weeks. To determine the settable hatch and fertile hatch eggs, eggs collected three times a week and incubated for 21 days. Four blood samples were taken from each pen to assay serum calcium and phosphorus concentration at the end of the experiment. Fennel extract supplementation to breeder diet significantly decreased deformed eggs and increased yolk color index and serum calcium. There were significant interactions between FE and Vit D3 levels for egg production, egg mass, feed conversion ratio, shell weight and serum calcium. The results of this experiment showed that incorporation of 50 mg/kg FE and 3500 IU/kg Vit D3 to the diet exhibit beneficial effects without any adverse effect on productive performance.