This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of OEO on production performance, egg quality, fatty acid composition in yolk, and cecum microbiota of hens in the late phase of production. A total of 350 58-week-old Jing Tint Six laying hens were randomly divided into five groups: (1) fed a basal diet (control); (2) fed a basal diet + 5 mg/kg flavomycin (AGP); (3) fed a basal diet + 100 mg/kg oregano essential oil + 20 mg/kg cinnamaldehyde (EO1); (4) fed a basal diet + 200 mg/kg oregano essential oil + 20 mg/kg cinnamaldehyde (EO2); (5) fed a basal diet + 300 mg/kg oregano essential oil + 20 mg/kg cinnamaldehyde (EO3). Compared to the control group, group EO2 exhibited higher (p < 0.05) egg production during weeks 5−8 and 1−8. EO2 had a lower feed conversion ratio than the control group during weeks 1−8. The content of monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) in EO2 was higher (p < 0.05) than that of the control and AGP groups. EO2 increased (p < 0.05) the abundance of Actinobacteriota and decreased the abundance of Desulfovibri in the cecum. The abundances of Anaerofilum, Fournierella, Fusobacterium, and Sutterella were positively correlated with egg production, feed conversion ratio, and average daily feed intake, while the abundances of Bacteroides, Desulfovibrio, Lactobacillus, Methanobrevibacter, and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group were negatively correlated with egg production, feed conversion ratio, and average daily feed intake. Dietary supplementation with 200 mg/kg OEO and 20 mg/kg cinnamaldehyde could improve egg-production performance, decrease feed conversion ratio, and alter the fatty acid and microbial composition of eggs from late-phase laying hens.
Keywords: bacterial community; essential oils; fatty acid composition; laying hen; production performance.