Effects of Ecological Sea Buckthorn Powder Supplementation on Egg Production and Quality in Free-Range Moravia Black Hens

Alexandru Usturoi, Marius-Gheorghe Doliș, Roxana-Nicoleta Rațu, Cristina Simeanu, Florin Baltag, Cătălin-Emilian Nistor, Claudia Pânzaru, Răzvan-Mihail Radu-Rusu, Mădălina Alexandra Davidescu () and Marius-Giorgi Usturoi
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Alexandru Usturoi: Department of Control, Expertise and Services, Faculty of Food and Animal Sciences, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences, 700489 Iasi, Romania
Marius-Gheorghe Doliș: Department of Animal Resources and Technologies, Faculty of Food and Animal Sciences, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences, 700489 Iasi, Romania
Roxana-Nicoleta Rațu: Department of Food Technologies, Faculty of Agriculture, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences, 700489 Iasi, Romania
Cristina Simeanu: Department of Animal Resources and Technologies, Faculty of Food and Animal Sciences, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences, 700489 Iasi, Romania
Florin Baltag: Department of Control, Expertise and Services, Faculty of Food and Animal Sciences, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences, 700489 Iasi, Romania
Cătălin-Emilian Nistor: Department of Animal Resources and Technologies, Faculty of Food and Animal Sciences, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences, 700489 Iasi, Romania
Claudia Pânzaru: Department of Animal Resources and Technologies, Faculty of Food and Animal Sciences, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences, 700489 Iasi, Romania
Răzvan-Mihail Radu-Rusu: Department of Animal Resources and Technologies, Faculty of Food and Animal Sciences, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences, 700489 Iasi, Romania
Mădălina Alexandra Davidescu: Department of Control, Expertise and Services, Faculty of Food and Animal Sciences, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences, 700489 Iasi, Romania
Marius-Giorgi Usturoi: Department of Animal Resources and Technologies, Faculty of Food and Animal Sciences, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences, 700489 Iasi, Romania

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-22

Abstract: The growing demand for sustainable and healthier egg production systems, combined with the need to reduce the use of synthetic additives in poultry feed, has led to an increased interest in natural feed supplements. This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with ecological sea buckthorn ( Hippophae rhamnoides ) powder on the performance and egg quality of 600 laying hens of the Moravia Black breed, raised in a free-range system. Three groups were included: one control group with standard feed and two experimental groups supplemented with 1% and 2% sea buckthorn powder. Over 11 weeks, parameters such as egg production, feed consumption, and egg quality, including egg weight, volume, shell thickness, and yolk color, were monitored. The 2% supplementation significantly improved egg production, egg weight, shell strength, and yolk carotenoid content, with stable feed consumption and negligible mortality, confirming the additive’s safety. These results highlight the potential of sea buckthorn powder as a natural feed additive to enhance poultry productivity and product quality, supporting sustainable and healthier egg production.

Keywords: egg production; egg quality; laying hens; sea buckthorn powder; sustainable poultry farming (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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