Flaxseed Oil for Omega 3 Fatty Acids Enrichment in Eggs and Performance in Laying Chickens

Abstract

Background: The beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids on growth, health and immune function for human is well established. Supplementation of various n-3 fatty acids into the diet of laying hens is a nutritional attempt to increase the levels of n-3 PUFA in the eggs. Therefore, the present study was carried out to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of flaxseed oil (SFO) as a source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, on the fatty acid composition of egg, laying performance and egg stability upon storage in laying hens. Methods: Laying hens of 30-week age (n=168) were selected and randomly distributed into two dietary groups consisting of 14 replicates each having 6 birds in each replicate. Iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric two diets were prepared with and without FSO. Daily recording of eggs, feed intake and egg collection was carried out throughout the experiment. The eggs were subjected for fat extraction and estimation of fatty acid composition. Result: The higher (P less than 0.05) feed intake and lower (P less than 0.05) egg production in groups fed FSO supplemented diet compared to those groups fed control diet. Further, improved (P less than 0.05) feed conversion ratio among the groups fed control diet compared to those groups fed FSO supplemented diet. Eggs contained higher (P less than 0.05) á-linolenic acid, eicosenoic acid, n3 fatty acids in groups fed FSO supplemented diets compared control diet. The stability parameters did not differ by supplementing FSO compared to groups fed control diet. Therefore, it is concluded that FSO can be supplemented up to 6% for feeding of laying hens for producing higher omega 3 fatty acids in eggs. Further, supplementation of 6% FSO did not affect the egg quality parameters upon storing for 21 days at 4°C. Background: The beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids on growth, health and immune function for human is well established. Supplementation of various n-3 fatty acids into the diet of laying hens is a nutritional attempt to increase the levels of n-3 PUFA in the eggs. Therefore, the present study was carried out to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of flaxseed oil (SFO) as a source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, on the fatty acid composition of egg, laying performance and egg stability upon storage in laying hens.