Restrictions on antibiotic growth promoters have accelerated the search for sustainable phytogenic additives to support poultry productivity and health. This study evaluated the effects of an herbal extract mixture (HEM) containing Withania somnifera, Salvia rhytidea , and Perovskia abrotanoides on performance, egg quality, gut health, and physiological responses in laying Japanese quail ( Coturnix japonica ). A total of 600 eight‑week‑old quails were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments for 42 days: a negative control (basal diet), a positive control (basal diet supplemented with 40 mg/kg flumequine), and three experimental groups receiving the basal diet supplemented with 50, 100, or 150 mg/kg of the herbal extract mixture (HEM). The extract mixture was characterized for total phenolics and flavonoids using spectrophotometric assays. Supplementation with 100 mg kg⁻¹ HEM improved egg production and egg weight, yielding performance comparable to the positive control. In addition, dietary inclusion of 100 and 150 mg kg⁻¹ HEM was associated with improved yolk color, enhanced intestinal morphology, favorable modulation of ileal microbiota, and improved immune and antioxidant status, without adverse effects on feed efficiency or carcass traits. These findings indicate that HEM represents a promising phytogenic candidate for supporting health and productivity in laying Japanese quail.
Ghajari et al. (Sun,) studied this question.