Utilisation of palm,groundnut and melon seed oils by pullets

Three oils available locally, palm, groundnut and melon seed, were analysed; melon seed oil was found to contain the highest proportion of unsaturated fatty acids and palm oil was the most saturated. The addition of these oils either at 6 per cent or 10 per cent levels to rations improved egg production by White Plymouth Rock (WPR) pullets but not by Rhode Island Red (RIR) pullets. However, 6 per cent melon seed oil improved the size of eggs laid by RIR. Using 10 per cent melon seed oil in the experimental ration improved egg shell thickness in both breeds.

For both breeds 6 per cent groundnut oil depressed calcium absorption, while 6 per cent melon seed oil reduced calcium absorption in only WPR pullets. Addition of 6 per cent and 10 per cent palm oil or 10 per cent of either groundnut oil or melon seed oil enhanced calcium absorption by both breeds.

The cholesterol content of egg yolk lipid increased as the degree of unsaturation of the dietary oil increased.