Linoleic Acid Requirement for Maximum Egg Size in Laying Hen

Question

Linoleic acid requirement for a laying hen for maximum egg size should be:

Select an answer

Linoleic acid requirement for a laying hen for maximum egg size should be:

  1. 1% — Correct Answer
  2. 2%
  3. 3%
  4. 5%
Explanation:
Correct Answer: 1%

The linoleic acid (LA) requirement for a laying hen for maximum egg size is 1% of the diet. This is also confirmed by the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) 2007 standards for layer feed.

Linoleic Acid in Poultry Nutrition
  • Linoleic acid (18:2, ω-6) is the essential fatty acid for poultry.
  • It is essential for: normal growth, feathering, egg production, and maximum egg size.
  • The BIS 2007 standard specifies: minimum 1.0 g/100 g feed (= 1%) for all layer phases.
  • Deficiency leads to: reduced egg size, poor feathering, growth depression.
Essential Fatty Acid and Essential Amino Acid for Poultry
  • Essential fatty acid: Linoleic acid
  • Essential amino acid: Glycine (most critical for poultry; unlike mammals where it is non-essential)
Why Other Options Are Wrong
  • 2%, 3%, 5% → exceed the established minimum requirement; the BIS-specified minimum is 1%, which is sufficient for maximum egg size.

📚 About this Topic — Animal Refresher

This multiple choice question is from Animal Refresher, Poultry Science. It has 4 options with a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Practice more MCQs from Animal Refresher to strengthen your preparation.

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