Effect of full-fat sunflower or flaxseed seeds dietary inclusion on performance, egg yolk fatty acid profile and egg quality in laying hens

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the dietary inclusion of full-fat flaxseed or full-fat sunflower seeds on performance parameters, egg quality parameters and egg yolk fatty acid profile in laying hens. A total of 150 Babcock Brown hens at 27 weeks of age were distributed in 3 experimental treatments, as follows: T1, control; T2, diet containing 13.5% full-fat whole flaxseed seeds; and T3, diet containing 13.5% full-fat ground sunflower seeds. Feed and water were provided ad libitum and the experiment lasted for 8 weeks. No significant differences were found on egg quality parameters, but total egg production and rate of lay were significantly (P