the linseed and hempseed groups no effect of dietary
level was observed, and this at significantly higher
intake of both these cakes compared with rapeseed
cake. The egg mass production was lower in the linseed
cake than in the hempseed cake groups and the
hens fed the linseed cake needed significantly more
feed per kg egg mass compared with both the other
cakes tested.
Table 4 summarizes egg color, egg weight and the
weight percentages of yolk, egg white and shell from
total egg weight recorded during the sixth laying
month. The egg weight showed the same differences
between the cakes administered; however, it was
higher due to collection only during the sixth month
compared with total time of study. There was a tendency
for the egg weight to decline at 10 and 15 %
rapeseed cake in the hen feed and to increase at 10
and 15 % hemp seed cake. Increasing dietary level of
all oil seed cakes lowered the yolk percentage and
increased the egg white percentage. Higher egg shell
content was obtained in the rapeseed cake compared
with the linseed cake groups and the eggs from the
groups with 15 % cake level tested showed higher
shell percentage than these from the hens fed only
5 % cake in the diet. The differences in the yolk color
were probably random.
Fatty acid compositions in yolk fat are shown in
Table 5. Increased dietary levels of all three oil seed