Egg quality and egg geometry influenced by mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS),a prebiotic supplementation in four closebred flocks of Japanese quail breeders (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

In the present study 960 birds (12 week old) of four closebred flocks (cbf) of japanese quail breeders were used to explore effects of mannan-oligosaccharides (mos) on egg geometry and egg quality characteristics. diet given to birds comprised of corn-based or corn supplemented with 0.25%,0.50% and 1.0% mos for 15 weeks. collected data was analyzed by two-way anova utilizing sas 9.1 for windows. birds fed mos supplemented diets had significantly (p<0.05) higher eggs' weight and lower egg shell weight (g) than control. no significant differences,in yolk index,were recorded in mos supplemented and control groups,however,significant differences were observed among cbf,having highest value in kaleem flock. in the present study,mos supplementation did not significantly affect shell thickness,albumin index,albumin and yolk ph,haugh unit score and shape index. surface area and volume were non-significantly (p>0.05) differed in mos supplemented and control groups,however,a significant change was recorded among cbf and interaction of cbf and mos levels. from obtained results,it is concluded that mos did not significantly affect the egg quality and egg geometry in laying quails except eggs' weight. copyright 2015 zoological society of pakistan.