Camelina meal for eggs enriched with omega-3!
•Posted on June 19 2024
Do you know camelina meal? It is the material obtained once the oil is extracted from camelina seeds. In powder form, the meal contains plenty of nutrients including 35% protein, 30% fiber and 7% omega-3. A host of nutrients that are ideal for feeding different animals, including hens and chickens. You can add up to 10% of the chickens' ration by adding it to the usual feed.
And why would we do that?
For two reasons :
The first is that you'll be eating eggs that contain omega-3 polyunsaturated fats. We are terribly lacking in omega-3 in our diet, and yet they are so beneficial! Omega-3 polyunsaturated fats are beneficial for heart health and some studies show they may prevent Alzheimer's. They are also known to reduce inflammation and help regulate blood pressure. By feeding our chickens a 10% percentage of camelina meal, we found that the omega-3 content of eggs tripled, from 0.16 g/100 g to 0.54 g/100 g. Our need for omega-3 (in the form of alpha-linoenic acid) is between 0.8 g and 1.1 g per day3. An omega-3 camelina egg therefore provides almost 50% of the daily omega-3 needs. So it’s an excellent healthy idea!
Another good reason to add camelina meal to your chickens' feed is that you help reduce food waste by promoting the use of local production co-products to reintegrate them into the food chain. A good eco-friendly idea!