Recently I threw some prawn heads to my hunting chickens and was pleased to see they descended on the fish bits with the grace of a dinosaur. Now it would seem, according to a University of Bristol research group study that fish can help mend broken bones in free range chickens because they contain Omega 3.Most of us are aware of the potential health benefits of omega-3 found in fish oil and flax seed. Now researchers are looking at how omega-3 may help laying hens avoid bone damage.
A team from the, University of Bristol's Matrix Biology Research Group has identified a high incidence of broken bones in hens housed in free-range systems. However, preliminary studies suggest that by providing a diet supplemented with omega-3, breakages could be substantially reduced.
The university study will house sixteen flocks of 1,500 hens each in identical dedicated free-range systems provided by Noble Foods.
In the first year the researchers will compare a high omega-3 "Goldenlay" diet, fed from 16 weeks, with a standard diet. In the second year all hens will be fed on the "Goldenlay" diet from 16 weeks but with half transferred to a standard diet at 35 weeks. This will allow the researchers to find out if an omega-3 diet has direct welfare and bone benefits in laying hens, and whether these benefits persist even when taken off the diet.
Fractures of the sternum (keel) are common in free range hens, causing pain, preventing important behaviours and leading to an increase in infection rate. Chickens possess sensitive pain perception mechanisms and can suffer from chronic pain.
Constraints on movement due to fractures may last for many weeks, resulting in restricted access to food, water, and perches, compromising the welfare benefits of free-range systems.
Dr Tarlton will lead a multidisciplinary team to investigate the benefits of supplemented omega-3 diets in laying hens. They will look at the full biochemical and cellular mechanisms through which omega-3 is able to improve bone health. This research will also relate to osteoporosis in humans, a disease that affects six million sufferers in the UK.
Perhaps My Chickens already know of these benefits because they seem to love a bit of fish in their diet every now and again, and it certainly hasn't affected the taste of the eggs.
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