DOI: 10.15414/afz.2014.17.03.96-99Received 13. May 2014 ǀ Accepted 11. July 2014 ǀ Available online 27. August 2014The aim of the study was to analyze the dietary effect of pumpkin and flaxseed oils on performance parameters of laying hens. Lohmann Brown Lite hens were randomly divided to three groups. Total 12 hens (6 per group) were monitored. Hens in control group (C) were fed by standard diet. First group (E1) was fed by feed mixture supplemented with pumpkin oil, and second group (E2) with flaxseed oil. Total were gained 244 eggs from C, 277 eggs from E1 and 228 eggs from E2. Average daily production was 4.84 eggs per day in control group, 5.31 eggs in first experimental group and 4.39 eggs in second experimental group.  Average weight of eggs was 62.88 g in group with standard feed mixture, 64.62 g in group with pumpkin oil supplementation and 65.28 g in group with flaxseed oil supplementation. After oil supplementation, were significant (P0.05). In egg´s production was significant (P<0.05) difference only between experimental groups.Key words: nutrition, additives, oils, eggs, layin

Arpášová, Henrieta

Bíro, Daniel

Gálik, Branislav

Herkeľ, Róbert

Juráček, Miroslav

Majlát, Marián

Rolinec, Michal

Šimko, Milan

Acta Fytotechnica et Zootechnica Online (Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra)

– 96 – 
Acta fytotechn. zootechn., 17, 2014(3): 96–99
Róbert Herkeľ et al: The effect of pumpkin and flaxseed oils on selected parameters of laying hens performance
© Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra
 
Faculty of Agriobiology and Food Resources, 2014
http://www.fapz.uniag.sk/
DOI: 10.15414/afz.2014.17.03.96–99
1. Introduction
Phytogenics are a relatively young class of feed additives 
and in recent years this feed additives have gained 
considerable attention in the feed industry. They 
are a  wide variety of herbs, spices and their derived 
products and are mainly essential oils (Hashemi et al., 
2010). Vegetable oils, also called essential or essential 
oils are aromatic, oily liquids obtained from plant 
material (flowers, buds, seeds, leaves, twigs, bark, herbs, 
wood, fruits and roots). It is a complex mixtures of 
different organic molecules – terpenes, alcohols, esters, 
aldehydes, ketones and phenols. In animals, in particular, 
promote the secretion of gastric juices, while operating 
on gut motility and improve the integrity of the intestinal 
lining. Some phytogenic extracts stimulate the olfactory 
receptors and taste buds, resulting in an increase in feed 
intake, increased production of endogenous enzymes and 
digestive juices, thereby improving nutrient digestibility 
of feed (Panda et al., 2009); they can affect reproductive 
parameters (Mangiagalli et al., 2010). Flax seed contains 
about 40 % oil, which can be used as part of feed mixture 
for poultry. Some varieties of flax are rich in linolenic acid, 
while the other in linoleic acid (Zelenka et al., 2008). In the 
flaxseed oil is only α-linolenic in bulk, which is a precursor 
of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid 
(Kralik et al., 2008). Seed contains 8–10 % water, 18–20 % 
protein, 22  % nitrogen free substances extracted, 9  % 
fiber and especially drying oils consist of triglycerides of 
three saturated acids –t palmitic (6.5 %), stearic (2.5 %), 
oil (22 %) and unsaturated acids – linoleic (15 % or 60 %) 
and alpha linolenic acid (up to 3  % or 54  %) (Prugar, 
2008). Pumpkin seeds contain many valuable functional 
components and have been traditionally used for herbal, 
therapeutic as well as clinical applications. Seeds have 
been used as safe deworming and diuretic agents, and 
the seed oil as a nerve tonic (Younis et al., 2000). Pumpkin 
oil has strong antioxidant properties (Stevenson et al., 
2007). Pumpkin seeds contain L-tryptophan, omega-6 
and -3 fatty acids a very high concentration of vitamin 
E (Hashemi, 2013). Pumpkin seeds contain zinc and 
pumpkin peanuts to 54 % oil digestibility coefficient of 
98.2 % (Kóňa et al., 2007). The objective of present work 
was to determine the effect of the two different diets on 
laying performance.
2. Material and methods
Experiment was realized in cooperation with the 
Department of Poultry Science and Small Husbandry. At 
38 weeks of age, Lohmann Brown Lite hens were housed 
in three-floor cages (943,2 cm2 per hen), divided into 
three diets of groups (C-control, E1-pumpkin oil (3  %), 
E2-flaxseed oil (3 %)). There were housed six hens in one 
The effect of pumpkin and flaxseed oils on selected 
parameters of laying hens performance
Róbert Herkeľ*, Branislav Gálik, Daniel Bíro, Michal Rolinec, Milan Šimko, 
Miroslav Juráček, Marián Majlát, Henrieta Arpášová
Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Slovak Republic
*Correspodence: Róbert Herkeľ, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, 
Department of Animal Nutrition, Tr. Andreja Hlinku 2, 949 76, Nitra, Slovak Republic, e-mail: 
robertherkel@gmail.com
Original Paper
The aim of the study was to analyze the dietary effect of pumpkin and flaxseed oils on performance parameters of laying 
hens. Lohmann Brown Lite hens were randomly divided to three groups. Total 18 hens (6 per group) were monitored. Hens 
in control group (C) were fed by standard diet. First group (E1) was fed by feed mixture supplemented with pumpkin oil, 
and second group (E2) with flaxseed oil. Total were gained 244 eggs from C, 277 eggs from E1 and 228 eggs from E2. 
Average daily production was 4.84 eggs per day in control group, 5.31 eggs in first experimental group and 4.39 eggs in 
second experimental group. Average weight of eggs was 62.88 g in group with standard feed mixture, 64.62 g in group 
with pumpkin oil supplementation and 65.28 g in group with flaxseed oil supplementation. After oil supplementation, were 
significant (P <0.05) differences found in average egg´s weight. Between experimental groups significant difference wasn´t 
found (P >0.05). In egg´s production was significant (P <0.05) difference only between experimental groups.
Keywords: nutrition, additives, oils, eggs, laying
– 97 – 
Acta fytotechn. zootechn., 17, 2014(3): 96–99
Róbert Herkeľ et al: The effect of pumpkin and flaxseed oils on selected parameters of laying hens performance
© Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra
 
Faculty of Agriobiology and Food Resources, 2014
http://www.fapz.uniag.sk/
DOI: 10.15414/afz.2014.17.03.96–99
cage. Feed mixture was composed from wheat, corn, 
soybean meal, rapeseed meal, sunflower meal, animal 
fat, soybean oil, calcium carbonate, feed additives, 
sodium bicarbonate, monocalcium phosphate, sodium 
chloride and enzyme complex of phytase. The amount of 
nutrients is shown in Table 1. Laying hens in all groups 
received feed mixture ad libitum. During experiment, the 
light regime was 16 hours. The experiment lasted 52 days 
and during the whole period, the eggs were collected for 
analysis. Following parameters were laying intensity and 
egg´s weight. Whole egg was measured in grams using 
an electronic scale. 
Differences between groups were analyzed with one-
way analysis of variance (ANOVA) by using the statistical 
programme SPSS 20.0. Results were evaluated using 
Tukey test. 
3. Results and discussion
Egg´s weight and egg´s production in diets containing 
pumpkin and flaxseed oil are presented in Table 2. There 
were significant differences (P  <0.05) between control 
group and both experimental groups in weight of 
eggs. After oils supplementation was found a tendency 
(P  >0.05) of higher average egg´s weight in E2 group 
(flaxseed oil supplementation). In egg´s production were 
found significant (P  <0.05) differences only between 
Table 2 Effect of oils addition on the weight and egg production
Group Parameter Week
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th Total
C
weight in g
mean 63.47 62.35 63.74 64.01 62.17 60.71 63.42 62.88a
S.D. 6.33 3.7 3.33 5.02 4.39 4.11 3.71 4.63
CV in  % 9.97 5.93 5.22 7.84 7.06 6.77 5.85 7.36
production  
in pcs
mean 5.71 5.57 5.29 5.43 4.43 4.43 3 4.84a
S.D. 0.49 0.53 0.76 0.53 1.51 1.27 1.15 1.28
CV in  % 8.58 9.51 14.37 9.76 34.09 28.67 38.33 26.45
E1
weight in g
mean 65.63 65.22 61.97 62.22 64.95 65.98 66.45 64.62b
S.D. 6.18 4.41 6.92 3.32 4.02 4.37 3.59 5.1
CV in  % 9.42 6.76 11.17 5.34 6.19 6.62 5.40 7.89
production  
in pcs
mean 5.57 5.43 5.43 4.86 5 5.43 5.43 5.31ab
S.D. 0.53 0.79 0.79 1.21 0.82 0.53 0.53 0.77
CV in  % 9.52 14.55 14.55 24.9 16.4 9.76 9.76 14.5
E2
weight in g
mean 65.84 65.77 65.41 59.01 64.09 67.27 66.75 65.28b
S.D. 3.27 2.71 4.71 4.75 3.44 3.42 2.18 4.04
CV in  % 4.97 4.12 7.2 8.5 5.36 5.08 3.27 6.19
production  
in pcs
mean 5.57 5.14 3.71 3 3.86 4.57 4.86 4.39ac
S.D. 0.53 0.69 1.6 0.58 1.07 0.53 1.07 1.22
CV in  % 9.52 13.42 43.13 19.33 27.72 11.59 22.02 27.79
S.D. – standard deviation, CV – coefficient of variance. Values with different superscripts in a column are significant at the 0.05 level
Table 1 Nutrient composition of feed mixture
Nutrients Amount
Crude protein in g kg min. 160
Crude fiber in g kg min. 20
Crude fat in g kg max. 90
Ash in g kg min. 110
Lysine in g kg min. 6.5
Methionine in g kg min. 3.3
Ca in g kg min. 27
P in g kg min. 6
Na in g kg min. 1
Fe in mg kg 75
Cu in mg kg 6
Zn in mg kg 25
Vitamin A in m.j. kg-1 10000
Vitamin D 3 in m.j./kg-1 2200
Phytase 290
Endox in mg kg 115
– 98 – 
Acta fytotechn. zootechn., 17, 2014(3): 96–99
Róbert Herkeľ et al: The effect of pumpkin and flaxseed oils on selected parameters of laying hens performance
© Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra
 
Faculty of Agriobiology and Food Resources, 2014
http://www.fapz.uniag.sk/
DOI: 10.15414/afz.2014.17.03.96–99
experimental groups. Addition of plant products had 
positive affect on the production of eggs (Akhtar et al., 
2003 Yannakopoulos et al., 2005), egg weight (Aydin 
et al., 2006), or body weight (Denli et al., 2004). Other 
authors reported significant difference in performance 
indicators and quality of eggs between the control 
group and the groups with the addition of various plant 
products (Florou-Paneri et al., 2005). Plant products 
can affect sensory properties of eggs also (Parpinello 
et al., 2006). Garcia-Rebollar et al. (2008) published 
a  noticeable impact of plant extracts addition on the 
sensory properties of eggs. Scheideler and Froning (1996) 
reported decreases in body weight and egg weight in 
birds fed flaxseed for 8 week. In other experiments Yang 
et al. (2003), Florou-Paneri (2005) added plant additives 
into mixture with any impact on rise of egg weight. Jiang 
et al. (1991) and Caston et al. (1994) reported no effect 
of flaxseed on egg production. Total feed consumption 
was 34.58 kg in control group, 39.67 kg in group with 
pumpkin oil supplementation and 34.47 kg in group with 
flaxseed oil supplementation. In weight of laying hens 
wasn’t significant changes. 
5. Conclusions
Pumpkin and flaxseed oils supplementation in feed 
mixtures of laying hens have a positive effect on the 
egg weight. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher average egg´s 
weight during experiment was found after dietary oils 
supplementation. Tendency (P >0.05) of the highest egg´s 
weight was found after flaxseed oil supplementation. 
6. Acknowledgments
This study was supported by Grant Agency of the Slovak 
Ministry of Education, Sport, Science and Research and 
Slovak Academy of Sciences (project n. 1/0662/11).
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Figure 1 Daily feed consumption per laying hen
 
 
Figure 2 Comparison weight of laying hens
 
 
 
 
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Acta fytotechn. zootechn., 17, 2014(3): 96–99
Róbert Herkeľ et al: The effect of pumpkin and flaxseed oils on selected parameters of laying hens performance
© Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra
 
Faculty of Agriobiology and Food Resources, 2014
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The effect of pumpkin and flaxseed oils on selected parameters of laying hens performance

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