Effect of different concentrations of chia(Salvia hispanica L.) on the productivevariables of Creole hens and internalcharacteristics of the egg

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of chia seed inclusion on productive variables and internal characteristics of eggs from Creole hens.

Methodology: Sixty 24-week-old Creole hens were selected, and five concentrations of whole chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.) were evaluated (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20%), incorporated into a diet based on corn, soybean meal, corn starch, vitamins, and minerals. The variables evaluated included feed intake (g), egg production (g), feed conversion (g/g), egg mass (g), egg weight (g), Haugh units, yolk (%), albumen (%), yolk color and eggshell thickness (mm).

Results: Significant differences (p≤0.05) were found only in average egg weight, Haugh units, and yolk color.

Limitations on study: This study focuses on Creole hens; future research could compare these results with commercial strains or other breeds to validate and expand the findings.

Conclusions: The addition of whole chia seed in the diets increased egg weight and improved Haugh units compared to the control diet, and the inclusion of chia did not affect the productive variables in Creole hens.