EFFECT OF INCLUDING FLAX (Linum usitatissimum L.) AND CHIA (Salvia hispanica L.) SEEDS ON PRODUCTIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND FATY ACID PROFILE OF JAPANESE QUAIL (Coturnix coturnix japonica) EGG

To determine the effect of including flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) and chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seed as a source of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs [ omega n3, n6]) in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) diets on productive, reproductive performance and FA profile in egg yolk, 100 females and 20 males seven-week of age were used and housed in 10 cages for eleven weeks. The quails were randomized one of two treatments: Group I) Received a diet based on corn and soybean meal, with 20% CP and 2.9 Mcal kg(-1) ME (control). Group II) Received control diet plus 1.86% flax and chia 0.10% seed, with 21% CP and 3.096 Mcal kg-1 ME. Feed intake, egg laying rate, feed consumed per viable chick born, hatchability, fertility, embryo mortality and FA in yolk was measured. The results showed no significant differences (P >= 0.05) in feed intake (34.56 g quail), egg laying (80.73%) and hatching eggs (65.48%). Quails in Group II consumed less feed (16 g) per chick born, had 5.52% more fertile eggs, from which 3.48% more chicks were born, with 3.61% lower embryonic mortality (P <= 0.01). The inclusion of flax and chia seeds, increased 2.96% polyunsaturated FAs (PUFA) in yolk, and reduced to 7.39: 1 the n6/n3 ratio, and to 0.5:1 the ratio of saturated fatty acids (SFA)/PUFA) (P <= 0.05). It is concluded that the inclusion flax and chia seed as a source of EFAs decreases feed intake per chick born, the ratio of omegas n6/n3 and SFA/PUFA in egg yolk, and improves hatchability, fertility and embryo mortality in Japanese quail eggs.