Chicken on chia seed diet produce low-cholesterol eggs

Ludhiana: Scientists at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University have developed highly nutritious, omega-3 enriched functional eggs by mixing chia seeds into poultry feed. Managed by the department of animal nutrition, the breakthrough project keeps production costs remarkably low, at just Rs 4 to Rs 5 per egg, making heart-healthy protein highly affordable for regular consumers.

The primary goal of the research was to slash the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)—known as “bad cholesterol”—by dramatically lowering the egg’s omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio. Dr Jujhar Singh Sidhu, an assistant professor involved in the project, explained that while a standard egg packs roughly 180 to 210 milligrams of artery-clogging cholesterol, these re-engineered chia-seed eggs are safe enough to allow health-conscious individuals to increase their daily intake from two eggs to three.

A standard commercial egg has a notoriously unbalanced omega-6 to omega-3 ratio of nearly 20:1, whereas nutritionists consider a tight 4:1 or 5:1 ratio ideal for human health. To correct this balance, GADVASU researchers tested poultry diets containing 1% and 2% chia seed concentrations. The 1% blend successfully brought the ratio down to between 18:1 and 19:1, while the 2% formulation yielded the best results, dropping the final ratio to between 12:1 and 13:1.

Dr Sidhu pointed out that the 2% enrichment level represents a strict scientific sweet spot for progressive poultry farmers looking to adopt this model. Pushing omega-3 levels past this threshold triggers major quality issues, as over-enrichment rapidly shortens the shelf life of the eggs and produces an unappetizing, unpleasant smell. Ultimately, the university views these budget-friendly super eggs as an ideal, easily absorbable protein source tailored to meet the growing consumer market for functional health foods.