Defining the optimal omega-3 fatty acid intake for pullets and laying hens to support health and productivity

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In 2015, the egg industry in Canada contributed 1.6% of cash receipts to total Canadian farming operations, an amount equivalent to $961.5 Million. At the heart of these industries lies a series of fundamental biological processes, each contributing to the net goal of producing healthy and productive hens and nutritious egg products. Nutrition is one of key areas of focus for maximizing the overall health and performance of animals. With specific reference to the nutrition of laying hens, nutrients are supplied with distinct goals in mind: a) meeting the maintenance and production needs of the birds; b) ensuring adequate nutritional reserves to mount an effective response to a stressor (environmental, microbial, viral, toxicological, etc); and c) optimizing or enhancing the nutritional profile of the egg relative to consumer preferences. Omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids for animals including poultry. In particular, omega-3 fatty acids possess multiple functions and exert health-promoting effects. Most of the current research on omega-3 fatty acids for laying hens has focused on levels needed to enrich eggs with these nutrients that are in demand by human consumers, typically through feeding flaxseed and fish oil or algal oil to hens. However, a requirement estimate for this important class of fatty acids is not provided in the current nutrition guidelines for poultry. The current proposal aims to address this limitation, and further determine the optimum quantity (level) of either types of omega-3 that aims to develop effective immunomodulatory effects, in both immature and mature laying hens, to overcome the negative impacts due to an immune challenge. The anticipated benefits of this research project include: 1) optimization of hen health through optimal nutrition, thus enhancing bird health and welfare; 2) development of novel feed formulations to advance the specialty egg market.