Performance and eggs quality in layers fed with different percentage of Camelina Sativa meal

The seeds of camelina are a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (33% omega-3) and antioxidants and, therefore, potentially able to fortify foods. The CAMFEED project aimed to enrich eggs with omega-3 and antioxidant compounds. These eggs were laid from hens fed with camelina meal (CM) obtained from Camelina sativa lines with a reduced glucosinolate content. CM contains about 15% of residual oil (about 1/3 of omega-3), a high amount of protein (35-40%) and a high content of antioxidants (vitamin E and polyphenols). Hy-Line® brown laying hens of 18 weeks of age were divided into six pens of 40 animals each reared under the same environmental conditions; the layers were fed with three different diets (isoenergetic and isoproteic) containing 0%(C), 10%(CAM10) and 20%(CAM20) of CM respectively. The number of eggs collected and laid on the floor was recorded weekly, as well as mortality and feed consumption. The level of animal welfare was assessed according to the Welfare Quality®. Weight of the eggs, egg yolk, albumen, shell and the mechanical properties of the shell were evaluated on samples of about 40 eggs per pen. The eggs were sampled at different intervals and the evaluation of the nutritional quality based on omega-3 fatty acids and cholesterol was performed. Preliminary results showed a good persistency of deposition curve. Eggs production (eggs laid*100/number of hens at time of recording) was similar among the three treatments and according with the Hy-Line®. Welfare assessment didn’t show any differences among treatments; injuries were almost absent, plumage and leg conditions were good. Omega-3 fatty acids in egg yolk showed an increment consistent with the increasing in CM in the diet (CAM10 = × 3; CAM20 = × 4). These results underlined the high adaptability of the hens to the housing systems and feed protocols. The project was funded by Fondazione Cariplo.