Effect of chia and hemp seeds on the physical quality of egg component

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of incorporation of chia (salvia hispanica L.) and hemp seed (Cannabis sativa L.) in laying hens diet as source of PUFA on the physical quality of egg component. A total 160 white leghorn laying hens of above 40 weeks of age were divided into five different groups having 4 replicates of 8 birds in each. The standard basal (C) layer ration supplemented with chia seed @ 1% (CS1.0) and 2% (CS2.0) and hemp seed was added @ 1.5% (HS1.5) and 3% (HS3.0) respectively. Iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets were prepared and fed to different treatment groups for 100 days. Physical quality of eggs were analyzed and recorded at the end of each month of the experimental period. At end of each month (30 days interval) eight eggs randomly selected from each treatment and they used for recording physical egg quality parameters. The egg weight and shell weight was affected significantly (Pd”0.05) at the end of first and third month. The average egg weight, egg width, average yolk diameter, yolk index and shell weight at the end of third month of this study showed significant (Pd"0.05) difference between the various treatments. Feeding of hemp seed significantly increased egg weight, shell weight and albumin height during the study period. However, shape index was not affected by inclusion of chia or hemp seed in the laying hen diet.