Drs. Aizwarya Thanabalan and Elijah G. Kiarie from the University of Guelph's department of animal biosciences have published new research on the effects of feeding linPRO, an Omega-3 fatty acid (Alpha-Linolenic Acid; ALA) enriched feed ingredient, to broiler breeder hens. The study, published in Poultry Science on May 22, 2024, demonstrates significant benefits for the progeny of these hens.
The research analyzed the successive feeding of linPRO, a patented, dry-extruded feed ingredient made from land-based ingredients, to broiler breeder hens and measured the resulting performance of their progeny. The diets were designed to meet the nutritional requirements of the Ross 708 breed and were compared to control diets with no Omega-3 enrichment. Broiler breeder hens were fed the diets starting at 23 weeks of age, with their progeny hatched at 34, 44, and 54 weeks of age. The growth performance of the progeny was monitored from hatch through to 42 days of age.
Key findings of the study include:
- Progeny hatched from hens fed the linPRO diet exhibited greater body weight (BW) and breast weight compared to progeny from hens fed the control diet
- Improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) was observed in the progeny from the linPRO diet group for the first 10 days of life
Breast meat is a high-value consumer product, making the ability to enhance body weight, breast weight and feed conversion efficiency through Omega-3 feed ingredients such as linPRO an important development for poultry research and the industry.
