Hempseed Products Fed to Hens Effectively Increased n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Total Lipids, Triacylglycerol and Phospholipid of Egg Yolk.

Abstract

Hempseed products represent potential alternative feed ingredients for poultry. However, their usage is not currently approved due to a lack of data to support their safety and efficacy. In this regard, the current study was conducted to assess the impact of dietary concentration of hempseed (HS) products and duration of their feeding to hens on the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) composition of egg yolk lipids. In the current study, 48 Lohmann LSL-Classic hens were individually housed in metabolism cages, in a completely randomized design, and provided one of six diets (wheat-barley-soybean-based) containing either HS (10, 20 and 30 %), hempseed oil (HO; 4.5 and 9.0 %) or no hempseed product (control) over 12 weeks. Increasing alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) intake via increasing dietary hempseed product inclusion, significantly (p < 0.0001) increased the n-3 PUFA contents of yolk total lipid. The values of ALA increased by 12-fold (152 ± 3.56 and 156 ± 2.42 mg/yolk) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by twofold to threefold (41.3 ± 1.57 and 43.6 ± 1.61 mg/yolk) over the control, for the highest levels of HS and HO inclusion, respectively. Increasing levels of hemp products in laying hen diets proved effective in manipulating the fatty acid profile of the total lipid, triacylglycerol (TAG) and total phospholipid (PL) fractions of yolks, enhancing the n-3 fatty acids and reducing the n-6/n-3 ratio. The latter benefit was achieved within 4 weeks of feeding hens either HS- or HO-containing diets.

Great for chickens - great for you!!!

Hemp Seed products represent potential alternative feed ingredients for poultry. The below abstract summerises a study that was conducted to assess the impact of dietary concentration of Hemp Seed (HS) products and the effects on the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) composition of egg yolk lipids.

In this study, 48 Lohmann LSL-Classic hens were individually housed in metabolism cages, in a completely randomized design, and provided one of six diets (wheat-barley-soybean-based) containing either Hemp Seed (10, 20 and 30 %), Hemp Seed Oil (HO; 4.5 and 9.0 %) or no Hemp Seed product (control) over 12 weeks.

Increasing alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) intake via increasing dietary Hemp Seed product inclusion, significantly (p < 0.0001) increased the n-3 PUFA contents of yolk total lipid. The values of ALA increased by 12-fold (152 ± 3.56 and 156 ± 2.42 mg/yolk) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by twofold to threefold (41.3 ± 1.57 and 43.6 ± 1.61 mg/yolk) over the control, for the highest levels of Hemp Seeds and Hemp Oil inclusion, respectively.

What did the study show?

Increasing levels of hemp products in laying hen diets proved effective in manipulating the fatty acid profile of the total lipid, triacylglycerold (TAG) and total phospholipid (PL) fractions of yolks, enhancing the Omega 3 fatty acides and reducing the Omega 6 : Omega 3 ratio. The latter benefit was achieved within four (4) weeks of feeding hens either Hemp Seeds or Hemp Oil containing diets. 

So where to from here??

Exciting research like this is exactly why Green Valley celebrates and heros hemp so much! Not only can they enhance the health and well-being of our pets and animals but we can also enhance our health by eating the glorious eggs that are enriched with Omega 3 fatty acids!! Adding Green Valley Hemp Seeds into your chickens diets has never been easier... there's a few options for you! Adding whole hemp seeds to your feed - just sprinkle into their feed daily, you can also do the same with Green Valley Hemp Hearts and Hulls or pouring on some Glorious cold pressed hemp seed oil and mixing through! Simple as that!


So what Hemp products can I get for my chickens/poultry?

Green Valley Naturals Hemp Hearts and Hulls is a great way to add the benefits of Hemp seeds to your flocks ration - a cost effective source of hemp hearts (the good stuff) with the fibre of the hull.

Green Valley Naturals Whole Hemp Seeds are the cream of the cream for poultry!! An amazing edition to your flocks ration - Top dress any feed with these nutritious bundles of Omega goodness!! With their nutty flavor, chickens just love them!!

Green Valley Naturals Cold Pressed Hemp Seed Oil is an easy and convenient way to add extra Omega nourishment every day - just pour on top of your flocks seed/pellets.

Hemp is an amazing superfood with the benefits to Humans and animals alike, so feed some to your chooks and enhance the benefits of those delicious eggs today.