Abstract
This study was to determine the effects of rapeseed oil on production performance, egg quality, and serum parameters in laying hens. A total of 1,080 hens (33-wk-old) were randomly divided into a 1 plus 4 × 2 factorial design including four different rapeseed oil sources [high erucic acid of Mianyang city (MH); high erucic acid of Deyang city (DH); low erucic acid of Mianyang (ML); low erucic acid of Deyang (DL)] at two levels (2% and 4%) for 12 wk. The egg production and egg weight were decreased (P < 0.05) during 9 to 12 wk and 1 to 12 wk, while the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio were decreased (P < 0.01) in all phases compared to the control group. Adding ML as oil source had higher (P < 0.05) egg weight compared to DH in all periods in spite of levels. Meanwhile, layers fed 4% rapeseed oil decreased (P < 0.01) egg production compared with 2% in all phases except 1 to 4 wk. Regardless of rapeseed oil sources, hens fed 4% oil decreased (P < 0.05) egg weight in contrast to 2% during the whole experiment except 5 to 8 wk. The ADFI was lower (P < 0.01) in 4% oil inclusion groups compared with 2% during overall phase. Rapeseed oil decreased the yolk color (P < 0.01) and yolk ratio (P = 0.02) and increased (P < 0.01) the albumen height and Haugh unit at 12 wk. Dietary rapeseed oil supplementation resulted in a decreased total triglyceride (TG; P < 0.01) and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.02). Regardless of rapeseed oil levels, layers fed MH had higher TG (P < 0.01), TC (P < 0.05), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.05), alanine transaminase (P < 0.01) than those fed other sources. Taken together, the addition of rapeseed oil decreased laying performance, reduced TC and TG in the serum, and increased Haugh unit, with low erucic acid or 2% group showed more pronounced results among all treatments.