Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Caesalpinia sappan Linn. Extract for Promoting Flock Health and Performance in Late-Phase Laying Hens

The decline in productive performance and egg quality reported in the late stages of the egg-laying cycle is primarily related to oxidative stress and an inflammatory response from prolonged egg production. The present study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of Caesalpinia sappan Linn. Extract (CSE) on flock health and productive performance in late-phase laying hens. The CSE-supplemented groups improved significantly in egg weight, albumin weight, and intestinal structure, as well as a decrease in inflammation and an increase in antioxidant capacity. No adverse effects on blood parameters or organ weights were also observed. These findings suggest that phytogenic CSE has the potential to enhance the health and performance in laying hens, offering valuable insights for the poultry industry. This also is particularly significant given the restrictions on the use of antimicrobial and chemical agents in livestock production. The present study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of Caesalpinia sappan Linn Extract (CSE) on the health and productive performance of late-phase laying hens on farms. Proximate composition and antioxidant markers of CSE powder revealed favorable characteristics with high total dry matter; phenolic content, and antioxidant potency. Three hundred and sixty (64-week-old) Hy-line Brown hens were divided into five groups with 0 (control diet), 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg CSE, respectively. The laying performance and egg quality of the CSE supplementation groups demonstrated significant improvements in egg weight and albumin weight (p < 0.05), and a tendency for enhanced egg mass and feed conversion ratio. Additionally, the intestinal morphostructural indices in the 2000 mg CSE/kg diet group showed the greatest statistical significance (p < 0.05), with a detectable trend suggesting an increase in the villus height to crypt depth ratio. In addition, significant downregulation of proinflammatory genes occurred in their liver tissues, coupled with a greater expression of genes linked to antioxidants and anti-inflammatory processes. Furthermore, the blood biochemical parameters and the organ weights may suggest a favorable safety profile of CSE supplementation. These findings highlight the potential of CSE as a dietary supplement to enhance the productive performance and flock health of late-phase laying hens. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects and optimal dosage of CSE supplementation for laying hens in farming practices