Growth performance and quality characteristics of flaxseed-fed broiler chicks

Abstract

A 42-day study was conducted to evaluate the effect of ground full-fat flaxseed supplementation on growth performance, carcass characteristics, α-linolenic acid (ALA), linoleic acid (LA) and organoleptic characteristics of broiler meat. A total of 200 one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly allocated to five experimental groups and were fed isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets containing flaxseed at 0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5% and 10%. Flaxseed supplementation did not affect the weekly body weight of broiler chicks during the first three weeks, but thereafter it reduced significantly with increasing levels of flaxseed in the diets. Birds fed on 10% flaxseed showed a reduction of 10.08% in body weight as compared to the control group. Diets containing 5.0-7.5% flaxseed resulted in significantly lower weight gain, higher feed conversion ratio, energy efficiency ratio and lower protein efficiency ratio as compared to control and 2.5% flaxseed diets. The carcass characteristics data indicated a little variation in the evisceration rate and giblet among treatment groups, but the breast yield was significantly higher in control than flaxseed groups. The protein, fat and ash content of broiler meat were not affected with the level of flaxseed in the diets. However, the inclusion of flaxseed in the diets significantly increased the ALA in the breast and thigh tissues with no difference in the organoleptic quality of meat.

Dietary Supplementation of Tetracarpidium conophorum (African Walnut) Seed Enhances Muscle n‐3 Fatty Acids in Broiler Chickens

“…Nonetheless, the FCR and percentage mortality were not affected by dietary treatments. A similar decrease in FI and BWG with no significant effect on mortality has been reported following the supplementation of chia seed, [ 7 ] Camelina seed, [ 40 ] and flaxseed [ 23,41 ] in broiler chickens. In addition, the supplementation of Camelina seed [ 12 ] and extruded flaxseed [ 42 ] did not affect FCR in broiler chickens.…”

“…Similarly, dietary flaxseed did not affect carcass and meat yields in broiler chickens. [ 6,41 ] The supplementation of TCSM induced a dose‐dependent reduction in abdominal fat and fat percentage in breast and thigh muscles of broiler chickens. This observation is consistent with the reduction in serum triglycerides and total cholesterol in the TCSM‐supplemented birds.…”

“…However, the severity of these changes was muscle dependent. Similarly, there was a significant improvement in the C18:3n‐3 content of thigh and breast muscles in broiler chickens fed flaxseed [ 6,41,56 ] and chia seed. [ 7 ] In addition, dietary flaxseed reduced linoleic acid content of breast and thigh muscles in chickens [ 41 ] and Peking ducks.…”

“…Similarly, there was a significant improvement in the C18:3n‐3 content of thigh and breast muscles in broiler chickens fed flaxseed [ 6,41,56 ] and chia seed. [ 7 ] In addition, dietary flaxseed reduced linoleic acid content of breast and thigh muscles in chickens [ 41 ] and Peking ducks. [ 48 ] Contrarily, dietary chia seed improved the concentration of linoleic acid in thigh meat but not in breast meat of broiler chickens.…”

Effect of feeding broken rice and distillers dried grains with solubles in a flaxseed-based diet on the growth performance, production efficiency, carcass characteristics, sensory evaluation of meat, and serum biochemistry of broiler chickens

“…The nonsignificant effect of flaxseed on sensory characteristics has also been reported and is similar to our study's findings (26). However, in contrast, there is a study that reported a significant reduction in the aroma, flavor, taste, and overall acceptability of nugget meat from chickens fed with increasing levels of dietary flaxseed (17).…”