Producing Omega-3 Enriched Eggs

As with traditional feed grains, the form in which flax seed is fed impacts egg production and hen performance (Choi et al. 1986, Vilarino et al. 1996). Flax seed form also affects the amount of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) incorporated into the egg. Differences in the omega-3 content of eggs from laying hens fed whole versus milled flax seed have been reported, with many researchers suggesting that omega-3 yolk deposition is more efficient when the flax is milled prior to inclusion in the diet. For example, one study indicated that feeding 10% milled flax seed yielded 16.2mg ALA/g yolk (Van Elswyk 1997) while the same amount of whole flax seed yielded approximately 13.5mg alpha-linolenic fatty acid (ALA) per gram of yolk. Such differences may be explained in that milled seeds are better digested than whole seeds, releasing more omega-3 PUFAs to be deposited in the egg yolk.