Phytogenic Additives Enhance Welfare and Egg Quality in Laying Japanese Quail without Affecting Performance

This study hypothesized that supplementing Japanese quail diets with phytogenic additives could reduce stress-related behaviors and improve egg quality. The objective was to evaluate the effects of Passiflora incarnata and Pimpinella anisum on performance, egg quality, body and cloacal temperatures, behavior, tonic immobility, body injuries, and feather condition in laying quails. One hundred twenty birds, 150 days old, were randomly assigned to three treatments: control, 1.00 mg/kg Passiflora incarnata, and 1.00 mg/kg Pimpinella anisum, with eight replicates of five birds. Evaluations lasted fifty-six days in two periods. The additives did not affect performance, tonic immobility, feather quality, or lesions. Control birds showed higher albumen height, and differences appeared in color parameters Fan, L, and b**. Chest temperature was lower in birds receiving Passiflora incarnata. Aggressive behaviors decreased significantly in both supplemented groups. Although performance was unchanged, the additives improved egg quality, especially yolk pigmentation, and reduced aggression, indicating benefits for welfare and stress adaptation in intensive quail production. These outcomes highlight the potential of phytogenic inclusion as a practical nutritional strategy to support stability, health, and productivity in commercial systems.