Effect of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) supplementation on growth performance, egg production, egg quality, fatty acid profile, and hematobiochemical indices in guinea fowl

ABSTRACT This study investigates the influence of dietary spirulina ( SP ) on growth performance, egg production, egg quality, fatty acid profile, and hemato-biochemical profile of guinea fowl. A Total of 120 guinea fowl ( GF ) at 12 weeks of age were randomly allocated into four groups with five replicates (male-female ratio = 2:4). Animals were provided with four different diets over the 12–30 week trial: a corn-based basal diet for the control group ( T 0 ) and basal diets with 1% ( T 1 ), 2% ( T 2 ), and 3% ( T 3 ) SP for the other three groups. Growth and egg production were measured weekly. The physical parameters of the egg were examined at the 24 th , 27 th, and 30 th weeks, and the fatty acid profiles were assessed at the end of the experiment. Final body weight and weight of the 1 st laid eggs were significantly higher in T 1 and T 2 groups, where FCR was significantly improved in the T2 group compared to the control (P < 0.05). Egg weight was significantly increased in T 1 and T 2 group and shell thickness improved ( P