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

A total of 160 White Leghorn laying chicken of above 40 weeks of age were divided into five groups having 4 replicate of 8 birds in each group. Chia seeds @ 1% (CS1) and 2% (CS2) and hemp seeds were added @ 1.5% (HS1.5) and 3% (HS3), respectively to the control (C) diet. The diets prepared were iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric and fed to different treatment groups for 100 days. The percent egg production was not affected while average egg weight at the end of 30^th, 90^thday and overall production period was affected significantly (P<0.05). The average feed consumed per hen per day was affected (P<0.05) at the end of 30^th day but non-significant differences were observed at the end of 60^th, 90^th day and overall period of experiment. The feed consumed per kg egg mass was (P<0.05) affected at the end of 30^th and 60^th day of experimental period. Non-significant differences were observed for 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.