EFFECT OF OMEGA-3 FATTY ACID ENRICHED FEED SUPPLEMENT ON BROILER PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS QUALITY

Abstract

Philipp J Vet Anim Sci 2013, 39 (1): 53-62

A study was conducted to determine the effect of omega-3 fatty acid enriched feed supplement on performance and carcass quality of broilers. A total of 250 seven day-old Cobb broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five treatments in a completely randomized design. The treatments were: diet with coconut oil (control) and diets with omega-3 fatty acid enriched feed supplement (n-3 FAS) replacing coconut oil at 25, 50, 75 and 100% (full replacement). Performance parameters (body weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, livability rate and dressing percentage) and organoleptic characteristics and fatty acid composition of meat were determined. The performance and organoleptic characteristics of broiler meat did not differ (P>0.05) among treatments. The concentration of omega-3 fatty acid (alpha linolenic acid) in thigh meat increased (P<0.05) upon complete replacement of coconut with n-3FAS. The n-3 FAS can, therefore, be used to replace coconut oil in the diet at any level without affecting the performance and carcass quality of birds. It can also be used to enrich the broiler meat with omega-3 fatty acid.