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College of Agriculture
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Biobased Institute
Biobased Products Institute - Montana State University
Poultry
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Researchers Involved: |
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Dr. David Sands |
Dr. Alice Pilgeram |
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Additional Researchers: Matt Kirkpatrick, Dr. Nick Dale (University of Georgia) |
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Project Description: |
| The US Egg and Poultry Association provided supplemental funding to analyze camelina meal as an ingredient for production of omega-3 rich eggs. This study was done in collaboration with Dr. Nick Dale at the University of Georgia. Poultry readily consumed feeds containing up to 15% camelina meal. There were not adverse effects on chicken health or egg production. The fatty acid profile of yolks from eggs from chickens fed different levels of camelina (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%) were analyzed for omega-3 (C18:3) content. The content of omega-3 in the egg increases with increasing camelina content in the feed (fig. 14).
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Fig. 14 |
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Omega-3 content of eggs from chickens fed increasing concentrations of camelina meal (University of Georgia 2005) |
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Further Reading: |
| MSU and the Great Northern Growers are currently working with Big Sky Eggs to develop optimum feeds for commercial egg production. Big Sky Poultry currently has thirty-two 20,000 bird hen houses distributed throughout Montana. Currently, camelina based feeds are being utilized in 2 houses located on the Kingsbury Hutterite colony near Valier, MT. The feed formulation contains approximately 15% camelina meal. Currently, the camelina eggs contain between 100 and 150 mg of omega-3 fatty acid per egg (Fig. 15) and an omega6: omega3 ratio ranging from 8-10 (Fig. 16). The tocopherol content of the eggs content is elevated and is currently being quantified using HPLC. The camelina eggs grade-out at 8 on a scale of 1-8. MSU, GNG and Big Sky Eggs will continue to optimize the feed formulation with the goal of 300 mg omega-3 fatty acid/egg. |
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Fig. 15 |
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Omega-3 content of Kingsbury eggs fed 15% camelina meal. |
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Fig. 16 |
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Omega 6: Omega-3 ratio of Kingsbury eggs fed 15% camelina meal. |
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