Effect of dietary flaxseed supplementation on egg production and quality in laying hens

A 9-weeks study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary flaxseed supplementation on layer's performance and egg quality parameters. A total of 120 White Leghorn commercial hens (38 weeks old), were fed the diets containing ground flaxseed at 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10%. Average body weight of birds was unaffected through dietary treatments with flaxseed (P>0.05). Dietary inclusion of flaxseed showed statistically similar effect on egg production, egg weight and egg mass to those of corn-soybean meal based diet though the feed consumption was significantly higher among flaxseed fed groups. Feed conversion ratio and protein conversion ratio values of control and flaxseed fed groups were statistically similar. Specific gravity, egg shell thickness, Haugh unit, yolk index and yolk colour score of eggs were also found unaffected due to inclusion of flaxseed in layers diet. Dietary treatments did not affect the total fat content in eggs but alinolenic acid content increased significantly. Although feed consumption was higher in flaxseed fed groups but the production performance of birds and egg quality was maintained and showed increased level of a-linolenic acid content in eggs without affecting the sensory acceptability. Hence, incorporation of 10% flaxseed in layer's ration is recommended for production of a-linolenic acid enriched eggs.