As a means to increase w-3 fat acids in chicken egg, the fatty acid composition of the feed can be modified through the inclusion of marine sources(for example, fish oil/meal), flaxseed(Linum usitatissimum) and/or chia seed Salvia hispanica).
Previous research has shown that hens fed with marine products or flaxseed resulted in tainted eggs with a"fishy" taste (Jiang and others 1992; Van Elswyk and others 1992, 1995; Caston and others 1994; Schiedeler and others 1997).
Studies on feeding chia seed are limited and a few studies have shown no detection of "fishy" oil flavors(Ayerza and Coates 2000, 2001, 2002: Ayerza and others 2002).
Studies on the use of chia are limited to the study of its lipid, polysaccharide and protein fractions(Bushway and others 1981, 1984), snack food like products manufactured for human consumption(Coorey and others 2012; Radocaj and others 2014).
Coorey and others(2014) studied the chia gel for its functional properties and its possibility for use as a food ingredient.
Surai and Sparks(2001) reviewed the literature on enhancing the nutritional quality of eggs by increasing its anti-oxidant, w-3 DHA, vitamin E, and other nutrients.
They concluded that it is possible and advantages to develop such designer ''eggs."
At the same time Ali and others(2012) reviewed the literature on clinical studies on safety of chia and its active ingredients.
They concluded that chia is a good source of healthy oil.
The effect of feeding hens ground chia seed on w-3 content and flavor of eggs has not been published