Impact of Chia and Hemp Seeds Inclusion in the Diets on Productive Performance and Fatty Acid Profile of Chicken Eggs

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the omega-3 fatty acid compositions of eggs obtained from hens by feeding of chia and hemp seed. A total of 160 white Leghorn Laying Chicken of above 40 weeks of age were divided into five group having 4 replicate of 8 birds in each group. The standard basal (T₁) layer ration supplemented with chia seed @ 1% (T₂) and 2% (T₃) and hemp seed was added @ 1.5% (T₄) and 3% (T₅) respectively. The diets were preparediso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric and fed to different treatment groups for 100 days. Daily egg produced and feed offered and biweekly egg weights were recorded. Eggs produced were analysed for fatty acid profile. The percent egg production was not affected while average egg weight at the end 30^th, 90^th and overall production period was affected significantly (P≤0.05). The average feed consumed per hen per day affected significantly (P≤0.05) at the end of 30^th day but the end of 60^th, 90^th and overall period of experiment non-significant (P≤0.05) differences were observed. The feed consumed per kg egg mass was significantly (P≤0.05) affected at the end of 30^th and 60^th day of experimental period. Non-significant (P≤0.05) differences were observed for the kg of feed required to produce dozen of eggs. The saturated fatty acid concentration decreased in all the chia and hemp seed supplemented groups. Monounsaturated fatty acid concentration increased as the level of chia seed and hemp seed increased in the laying hen’s diet at the end of 45^th and 90^th day of study. Polyunsaturated fatty acid concentration also increased in all the chia and hemp seed fed groups.