Response of Turkey Hens to Dietary Linoleic Acid Fed as Corn Oil

STUDIES with linoleic acid in laying diets for chickens have been of interest to a number of researchers. Marion and Edwards (1964) reported greater egg production and hatchability when linoleic acid was fed to hens. Egg size increased after 6 weeks. Shutze et al. (1962) obtained increased egg weight in young pullets fed practical diets supplemented with corn oil. Shutze and Jensen (1963) significantly improved egg weights with linoleic acid. Menge et al. (1963) obtained increased egg production, egg size, fertility and hatchability when linoleic acid was fed to pullets which had been depleted. Fisher and Levielle (1957) reported an increase in linoleic and linolenic acids in the content of egg fat when hens were fed linseed oil. Safflower and soybean oils increased only the linoleic acid content despite the fact that soybean oil contains linolenic acid. Calvert and Menge (1967) expressed doubt that a practical diet incorporating small grains, . . .