Effect of Chia Seed Supplementation on the Growth Performance and Retention of Nutrients in Layer Pullets

The effect of chia seed supplementation on body weight, body weight gain (BWG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was investigated in layer pullets over 18 weeks. Commercial white leghorn chicks (n=72) were separated into three treatment groups based on body weight: T1, T2, and T3. Each group contained four replicates, each of which contained six birds, for a total of 24 birds in each group. T1 was given maize-soybean based basal diet, in T2 group chia seed was supplemented @1% and in T3 group chia seed was supplemented @2%. The layer pullets were fed starter diet from 0 to 8 weeks, then grower ration from 8 to 16 weeks of age. During the starter and grower phases, daily feed offered, weekly reside left, and fortnightly body weight was measured and documented. During the starter phase, chia seed had no significant effect on body weight, body weight gain, average daily feed intake (ADFI), or feed conversion ratio (FCR), but during the grower phase, chia seed supplementation significantly improved final body weight at the 2% level. Furthermore, chia supplemented groups gained more body weight (P<0.05) and had a better FCR (P<0.05) than the control group. Ether extract digestibility was significantly higher in chia seed supplemented treatments (T2 & T3) compared to the control (T1). Chia supplementation had a substantial effect on apparent mineral consumption, with calcium retention (P<0.05) being higher in the T3 group where chia seed was supplemented @ 2%. So overall, chia supplementation improved growth performance of layer pullets during growth phase of the trial.