Growth Performance, Carcass Traits and Meat Quality in Broilers, Fed Flaxseed Meal

The effect of flaxseed meal on broiler performance, carcass characteristics, alpha-linolenic acid contents, and organoleptic characteristics of chicken meat was studied during a 42 day experiment. Broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 4 experimental groups and fed iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous diets containing flaxseed meal at 0, 5, 10 and 15%. Flaxseed meal did not affect the weekly body weight of broiler chicks during the first two weeks but thereafter weekly body weight reduced among flaxseed meal groups. At the end of 6(th) week, birds fed on 15% flaxseed meal showed a reduction of 8% in body weight compared to the control group. Control group had significantly higher weight gain with slightly higher feed consumption and better feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and energy efficiency ratio (EER) than the flaxseed meal groups. Among the treatments, birds of 5 and 10% flaxseed meal groups had significantly better FCR, PER and EER compared to those of the 15% flaxseed meal group. The carcass characteristics data indicated a significant reduction in the eviscerated weight and breast yield at 15% flaxseed meal in the diet as compared to other dietary groups. However, the alpha-linolenic acid content in both breast and thigh meat was higher with an increasing level of flaxseed meal in the diets without affecting the sensory acceptability of meat. Based on the present study, up to 10% of flaxseed meal may be used in broiler diet to enhance the alpha-linolenic acid content in the broiler meat.