Introduction

Ecuador is considered a clearly productive country, because it has ideal climatic conditions, being cotorn farming an activity in development at a regional level on the coast and the mountains with greater notoriety, the climatic conditions of these regions allow its development, but its growth is not being taken avantage of, due to cultural factors, lack of information on the product and its benefits¹. This leads to the search for organic supplements, which in one way or another are part of the elaboration of balanced that perform the same functions as the commonly used inputs, with this looking for products at low prices, and accessible to the consumer² one of the most viable alternatives is the use of products and by-products derived from plants for therapeutic use, with favorable results at the productive level in farm animals, after their inclusion in feed and drinking water³.

Supplementing ginger and bee propolis as growth promoter (GP), antioxidant material in performance traits⁴, carcass characteristics, blood parameters, antioxidant status of growing Japanese quail. In growing 7-day-old Japanese quail, a diet formulated based on corn extract and soybean meal added ginger (Zingiber officinale) provided a greater number of colony-forming units Lactobacillus spp. The intestinal health of birds is achieved when there is a favorable balance in their microbiota, guaranteeing an establishhment and predominance of beneficial bacteria, producing nutritional metabolites, stimulating the production of enzymes for better nutrient digestibility, increasing weight and other zootechnical indices⁵.

The quail, a small bird characterized by its great productive capacity, excellent layer, with an average of 23 to 25 eggs per month and 250 to 300 years, with an average weight of 10 to 12 g, 5 to 6 quail eggs are equivalent to a chicken egg, which can weigh up to 15 g⁶. Due to these important characteristics, a balanced diet is sought to cover the demanding rhythm of laying, despite the fact that there is a wide range of concentrated feeds on the market, the producer faces problems by not having food for quail in their laying phases, using balanced feed (BF) for other types of birds, which often do not meet their nutritional requirements, manifesting in low production levels and health problems⁷. Studies on the therapeutic benefits of ginger suggest that, among the main ones, it suppresses gastric contractions and secretions, reduces vomiting, antipyretic, analgesic, hypotensive, reduces intestinal activity, and also has hepatoprotective, hypocholesterolemic, with anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antimicrobial and hypoglycemic action⁸.

The effect of ginger essential oil on growth performance, posture, antioxidant status of egg yolk, cholesterol, and serum metabolites in Japanese quail⁹ positively influence egg weight and antioxidant status of the yolk, also significantly reduces the content of serum and egg yolk in cholesterol, without adverse effects on feed intake and weight gain in quail.

The types of phytase (fungal and bacterial) on the productivity and quality of the egg in quail in the laying phase, the use of commercial phytase in an on-top formulation scheme, have a positive action on the quality of the shell, reducing the can- number of broken eggs and increasing shell thickness¹⁰.

Supplementing ginger and bee propolis as a PG, diets supplemented with ginger, propolis or their combination could be added to the quail ration to improve the feed conversion ratio (FCR), humoral immunity and optimize the lipid profile in the blood serum, improve the antioxidant status, without negative effects on the birds⁴. Phytogenic additives can stimulate a favorable balance of the intestinal microbiota, ensuring the establishment and prevalence of beneficial bacteria, with a greater number of lactic acid producing bacteria being observed in the jejunum of broilers at 42 days of age, when evaluating the effect of different plant extracts in the diets of broilers⁵.

The cholesterol quality of edible eggs produced by diets fed with probiotics and/or ginger, inoculated in a quail diet on the serum and cholesterol of the yolk, indicate that with a combination of probiotics with ginger the levels were lower total cholesterol in serum and yolk¹¹. The use of three levels of Z. officinale, in broiler chickens, in the initial phase, fattening and total phase, obtained better weight gain, FCR and lower mortality compared to the standards established at a general level¹².

The addition in the diet of the essential oil of oregano (Origanum vulgare) and dehydrated ginger in weight gain, feed consumption (FC) and FCR in Cobb 500 male chickens refer that the use of dehydrated ginger as GP they do not differ in treatment, probably due to a low health challenge¹³. The evaluation of ginger as a feed additive in broiler diets, increased weight and a lower conversion index¹⁴. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of ginger flour on the productive parameters and egg quality of the quail in the first stage of laying.

Materials and methods

The present test was carried out in the Florida sector, Cevallos canton of the Tungurahua province, Ecuador. 240 five-week-old quails were used, acquired from the AVIPAZ poultry farm, they were housed in metal cages for their feeding, production. The shed was adapted to an ambient temperature of 18-24 ºC, relative humidity between 60 and 65 %, always avoiding sudden changes in temperature. Curtains were used to provide an optimal environment. In addition, it was provided with 4 extra hours of light from 12 p.m. at 10 p.m. which are the hours of greatest posture. The animals were randomly distributed to each treatment under a Completely Random Design (CRD), with 3 treatments (T₁, T₂ and T₃) and a control (T₀), with 6 repetitions. Analysis of variance, ADEVA and the 5 % Tukey test were performed. Each cage had automatic feeder and cup-type drinkers with ad libitum access to water. Food was supplied in the morning and afternoon (07:00 and 17:00 respectively), the experimental diets were carried out according to the requirements for Japanese laying quail¹⁵.

Quails were randomly located, 10 birds in each of the 24 cages, 30 g/food/bird/day were provided¹⁵. The quails had an adaptability period of two weeks with food including ginger according to treatment. Drinking water was supplied, then 3 % sugar water was supplied for the first three hours, on the first day vitamins and amino acids were added, 2 g of coaxial solution 20 was mixed with 1 L of water and given to the quails. for 3 days. in order to help birds, avoid transport stress. The production data were taken from the seventh se quail life, concluding the study in week sixteen, the investigation lasted 24 weeks. The study was carried out in five phases distributed in weeks (phase one, week 1 and 2, phase two 3 and 4 weeks), phase three 5 and 6 weeks, phase four 7 and 8 weeks and phase five 9 and 10 weeks) of laying, data were taken such as: FC (g) FCR, (g) mortality, (%), laying percentage (%), egg quality expressed in egg weight (g), shell thickness (mm), shell strength (kgf), yolk color. It was carried out using the direct method (food offered - food rejected), 30 g of food per bird was supplied daily, that is, 300 g per day per cage, the excess food per cage per day was weighed. The FCR was determined by the relationship (food consumed/egg yield). The egg collection was collected daily and the analysis was carried out weekly¹⁶. The laying percentage (% P) was determined by the relationship (number of eggs laid/day/number of birds/day*100). It was carried out by the direct method, collecting the eggs per cage daily throughout the experiment, the analysis was carried out weekly.

For the egg weight (EW) g, it was performed by the direct method, collecting the eggs per cage daily throughout the experiment and weighed using a digital scale. The quality of the egg was obtained by using the Digital NABBEL DTE 6000 egg quality analyzer, the parameters that were measured were weight (g), shell resistance (kgf), yolk color, shell thickness (mm). Weight (g): For the interpretation of results, measures such as ranges or categories were used: (A, B, AB), and finally the profitability was determined through the net benefits/present value of the investment costs. It was carried out by monitoring the production costs incurred during the research period⁷.

Results

Table 1 stage 1, week 1 and 2, the variable FC, a slight preference was achieved, T₁ with 293.63 g, compared to T₀ which is the lowest 288.26 g, FCR, presents the highest value in T₀ with 33.96 % compared to T₃ with 17.84, the position percentage, T₁ reflects the highest value with 49.76 % and T₀ with 41.19 %, these variables do not present significant differences (p> 0.05). The quality of the eggs does not present results in this phase, since, for its analysis, it was taken into account to start from week 9 of the birds' life.

Table 2 stage 2, weeks 3 and 4, FC with significant results for the Tukey test at 5% (p <0.05), placing the T₃ treatment with 291.60 g in range A. FCR, presents the highest value in T₁ 5.29 % compared to T₃ with 4.89 %, they do not present significant differences (p> 0.05). The position percentage, T₃ reflects the highest value registered with 71.43 % and T₁ with 68.33 %, the non-significant differences (p> 0.05).

Egg quality, for EW, T₃ stands out with 12.96 g, placing it in a range A when applying the Tukey test at 5 %. In the color of the yolk T₁ is located in the AB range with a color scale of 13.15 and finally in the B range we have T₀ with a color scale of 12.77. kgf stands out in rank A of the Tukey test at 5 % T₃ and T₂ with 0.93 and 0.89 kgf respectively. In the thickness of the shell we have T₃ in the range A of Tukey at 5 % with 0.21 mm.

In stage 3, week 5 and 6, (Table 2), the AC is obtained had significant results for the Tukey test at 5 % (p <0.05), locating in the range A. In the FCR variable, the highest value is presented in T₂ with 9.58% located in Tukey's A range at 5 %. The position percentage, T₃ reflects the highest value registered with 78.57 % and T₁ with 73.33 %, they do not present significant differences (p> 0.05).

Table 3 phase 4, FCR we have significant results for the Tukey test at 5 % (p <0.05), placing in the range A, treatments T₃, T₁ and T₂ with 291.76, 289.90 and 288.95 g, respectively. The position percentage, T₃ reflects the highest value registered with 77.86% and T₁ with 70.24%, they do not present significant differences (p> 0.05). Regarding the egg quality variables, for the EW variable, T₃ stands out with 13.20 g, placing this treatment in a rank A when applying the Tukey test at 5 %. T₂ with 12.55 g in range AB, T₁ and T₀ in range B, with 12.08 g and 11.99 g respectively.

The color of the yolk, T₃ in range A of the Tukey test at 5 % with 14.64 of color scale, in range AB we have T₂ with 14.05 of color scale, being the highest values. In kgf, T₃ with 1.09 kgf stands out in the A range of the Tukey test at 5 %, in the AB range we have T₂ with 1.05 kgf, T₃ in the A range with 0.24 mm, T₂ in the AB range with 0.23 mm, T₁ in the BC range with 0.21 mm, and finally to T₀ in the C range with 0.20 mm thick.

Table 3 phase 5, FCR, the results were significant for the Tukey test at 5 % (p <0.05), located in the range A. In the variable percentage of laying T₃ reflects the highest value recorded with 77.86 % and T₁ the lowest value with 70.24 %. Despite the differences, the results do not present statistically significant differences (p> 0.05). EW, T₃ 13.39 g, placing this treatment in a range A when applying the Tukey test at 5 %. The yolk color, T₃ in range A of the Tukey test at 5 % with 14.64 color scale, T₂, T₁ and T₀ (14.05, 13.86 and 13.70). kgf in range A T₃ with 1.09 kgf we have T₃ in range A with 0.24 mm being the best results.

Mortality was made a global analysis of all phases, T3 presents the lowest percentage with 0.28 %, being located in the A range as well as T₂ with 0.83%, T₁ is located in the AB range with 1.39 % and finally T₀ with the higher mortality, 3.61 %. The highest percentage of profitability was in T₃, yielding higher results, therefore improving revenues. The percentage of profit it presented was 18.67 % and knowing that in our country an acceptable profitability is within 15 and 20. The treatment with the best profitability cost benefit (PCB) is T₃ with 1.19, this means that for every dollar invested, a profit of 0.19 dollars will be obtained against production costs.

Discussion

In the study, the CA was balanced against T₀, this indicates that the formulation with ginger favors its preference, corroborated by Buenaño Buenaño⁶ who mentioned that including plants for therapeutic use in the diet of birds can benefit FC, ginger with its multiple benefits, improving digestibility and therefore the use of nutrients, due to the presence of gingerols that stimulate their consumption by generating greater palatability⁸ The variable helps us to know the quality of the egg expressed in its weight, because it seeks to obtain eggs with excellent weights to be marketed at a better price. Kgf depends on the quantity of broken eggs by the total quantity of eggs produced when it is the lowest, since it implies losses in the exploitation. The color of the yolk was determined with the DSM colorimetric fan. Shell thickness (mm) once the quail egg has been opened, the thickness of the shell is measured with the caliper, the less thickness it has, the less appropriate it is for commercialization due to its fragility¹⁷.

There are marked differences in T1 and slightly with T₂ since they present a greater range of FCR, these differences are appreciated in the third phase, between weeks 5 and 6, while T₃ reported a lower FCR value compared to T₀, corroborated by Herrera Mendoza¹⁸ who points out that there is a significant difference (p <0.01) between the treatments with the inclusion of ginger flour and the control treatment, with T₃ (0.3 %) being the best FCR. Although the studies were carried out in broilers, there is agreement with what Herrera Apolo¹⁹ mentioned that the addition of ginger in poultry diets improves FCR through the synergism at the digestive level of gingerols and shogaols that function as gastric protectors when decrease the intestinal wall and stimulate its tonicity, allowing a greater absorption of nutrients acting as a natural promoter, in addition to the presence of Borneol which together with gingerols function as a hepatic protector⁸ collaborating in a greater use of nutrients.

There were no significant values in this variable, possibly because the variation in the number of eggs per day and week is practically the same, what really varies is the quality of the egg in weight, yolk color, shell resistance and thickness. However, Lopez Machado²⁰ points out that the normal values in percentage of quail laying go from 59.47 to 64.46 % during week 5 to 15 of life respectively, this differs with our results since they exceed the normal percentages 77.87-78.57 %, in the same period of time, with the feasibility of adding ginger to the quail diet. For this variable, the treatment that registered the best results was T₃ in relation to EW, yolk color, resistance and shell thickness, this is possibly due to the contribution of ginger as an ingredient that helps to better metabolize the necessary nutrients for the formation of eggs.

Regarding the EW, the best results were obtained in T₃ (13.39 g) gave significant differences (p <0.05) compared to the other treatments, these being higher than those obtained by Lopez Machado²⁰ who indicates that at 20 weeks of production, the average EW was 10.89 g, in the same way, these results are lower compared to our research, so it follows that ginger can be used in poultry to reduce the cholesterol level and increase EW with an effect positive in its antioxidant status⁹.

Regarding kgf, statistically significant differences were obtained (p <0.05), in such a way that the thickness of the eggshell produced in T₃ (0.26 mm) during the research was higher than the rest of the treatments matches agreeing with Villacis-Vivar et al.¹⁰ who determined statistically significant differences (p <0.05), 0.2636 mm when adding fungal phytase, followed by treatments with bacterial phytases 0.2597 and 2592 mm, indicating that supplementation with phytase significantly increases (p <0.05) the thickness of the shell.

For the yolk color variable, statistically significant differences (p <0.05) were obtained, with T₃ (14.64) being higher than the rest of the treatments during the research, which differs from that reported by Tufiño Alulema et al.²¹, reported mean values of the color of the yolk coloration for the treatments that were: 7.77, 7.93, 8.97 and 9.30 per treatment T₀ (control), T₁ (alfalfa), T₂ (carrot) and T₃ (beet) respectively, in this way the values reported in our research are higher than those of the aforementioned authors, this possibly due to the addition of ginger in the quail diets since Salcedo Ruales et al.²² mentioned that the pigmentation of the yolk depends exclusively on the contribution of carotenes in the diets of birds, whether natural or artificial, thus ginger contains carotenes in its chemical composition, generating a higher contribution, as with this the color scale is superior, also mentions that diseases such as coccidiosis or respiratory infections can affect the intestinal mucosa, hindering the absorption of carotenes from the content of saturated fats in the diet, since they collaborate in the transport of carotenoids, causing paler yolks, taking into account the aforementioned, the antimicrobial characteristics (Sesquiterpenes, Citral, Mirceno), anti-inflammatory (Borneol), antigripal, antiviral, antifungal (Cimeno), which the ginger manage to optimize the action of carotenes, directly benefiting the coloring of the yolk⁸.

In kgf, significant differences were observed (p <0.05) in which T₃ with 1.12, T₂ with 1.11, followed by T₁ with 1.01, and differing with T₀ with 0.92, the results obtained differ with the investigation of Villacis-Vivar et al.¹⁰ because they mention that the resistance of the eggshell is not statistically influenced by any treatment, although the highest average was presented with T₃ to which beet was added, for the aforementioned authors these results are justified because Some peculiarities of birds such as age, diseases, temperature can also determine the quality of the shell, in our research the resistance of the shell depends on its thickness, structure and distribution of the calcite crystals, which are of utmost importance for the correct formation and resistance of the shell²³, in the same way²¹ they emphasize the existence of a negative correlation between cholesterol and calcium, which means ca that at higher levels of calcium there is a decrease in cholesterol and vice versa. For this reason, previous studies and our research have identified that a diet that includes ginger tends to lower cholesterol and this is due in part to its calcium content.

The lowest mortality rate with 0.28 % of mortality, located in the A range for Tukey at 5%, as well as T₂ with 0.83 % mortality, T₁ is located in the AB range with 1.39 % mortality and finally T₀ with the highest mortality, 3.61 % these results are justified due to the fact that the addition of ginger favors the assimilation of nutrients, it also favors the well-being in the health of quail, which translates into lower mortality in the treatments with a greater quantity of ginger, in agreement with the results of Herrera Mendoza¹⁸ T₃ (5 %) was the one that presented the lowest percentage of mortality and was the one in which the highest percentage of ginger was added to the diet (0.3 % ginger), in the same way we agree with Medina Barriga² who registered mortality in the control treatment of the 0.20 %, while in the rest of the treatments no value was registered, the author mentions that the absence of chick mortality when using ginger and oregano may be mainly due to their bactericidal, acidifying and fungal properties, which made the pathogenic microorganisms that negatively influence the development of the birds will be controlled in some way.

The highest income was recorded by T₃ and this is reflected in the profitability of 18.67 % and a RBC of 1.19, this means that for every dollar invested a profit of 0.19 USD will be obtained compared to production costs, these results obtained agree cost analysis18 due to the fact that in his research, T₃ was the one that registered the highest profitability and RBC. According to the results, the inclusion of ginger flour (Z. officinale) at 0.4 % and 0.6 % in the quail diets presented statistical differences and efficiently influenced the productive parameters evaluated during the first stage of laying.

The inclusion of ginger flour (Z. officinale) in doses of 0.2 %, 0.4 % and 0.6 % in the quail diet improves the quality of the eggs produced, in the present test statistical differences are observed between T₃ and the group witness. In addition, ginger flour favors FC, especially in the final phases with all treatments (T₁, T₂ and T₃) compared to the control group. FCR shows significant differences with T₂ in the intermediate stages of production compared to the control group. The percentage of posture does not present differences significant between the treatments and the control group. The ginger flour also favors the resistance of the birds by showing significant differences especially in T₃ in mortality compared to the control group. The highest income was recorded by T₃ and this is reflected in the profitability of 18.67 % and a RBC of 1.19, this means that for every dollar invested, a profit of 0.19 dollars will be obtained against production costs.