The Effect of Linseed Oil and Ginger Powder on Production Performance and Egg Yolk Fatty Acid Profile in Broiler Chickens

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of flaxseed oil and ginger powder on production performance and egg yolk fatty acid profile in broiler hens during three periods of 28 days. Number 200 pieces of Ross 308 broiler chicken with 45 weeks of age and in a completely random factorial design (2×4) including 2 levels of ginger (zero and 1.5%) and two levels of flax (zero, 1, 2 and 3%) in 8 experimental treatments 5 replications of 5 hens per replication were performed. Only in the period of 28 to 56 and 56 to 84 days, egg production was affected by ginger powder and flax oil and their mutual effects (P<0.05). In the whole period, only ginger powder and the mutual effects of ginger powder and flax oil increased egg production (P<0.05). In none of the periods, linseed oil and the simultaneous effects of ginger powder and linseed oil had no effect on egg weight (P>0.05), and only the effects of ginger powder in the period 56 to 84 days were significant, which caused a decrease in egg weight (P<0.05). Egg mass measurement was affected by ginger powder and linseed oil and their simultaneous effects only in the period of 28 to 56 and 56 to 84 days and the whole period (P<0.05). Consumption of flaxseed oil and ginger powder and flaxseed oil at the same time led to a significant increase in egg yolk fatty acids and a significant decrease in the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 (P<0.05). In general, supplementing the diet of mother hens with 1.5% level of ginger and 2% level of linseed oil has a positive effect on production performance and egg yolk fatty acid profile.