According to Gram Research analysis, sesame oil supplementation in chicken feed significantly boosts egg production and improves chicken health. A 2026 study of 240 laying hens found that adding 1.5 mL of sesame oil per kilogram of feed increased daily egg production, improved cholesterol levels by reducing bad cholesterol and raising good cholesterol, strengthened immune system proteins, and reduced harmful gut bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella without affecting egg quality.
A new study tested whether adding sesame oil to chicken feed could improve egg production and chicken health. Researchers fed 240 laying hens either regular feed or feed mixed with sesame oil for five weeks. The hens that ate sesame oil produced more eggs, had better cholesterol levels, and developed stronger immune systems. Their intestines also became healthier and had fewer harmful bacteria. These findings suggest sesame oil could be a natural way to improve both egg production and chicken wellness on farms.
Key Statistics
A 2026 research article involving 240 Rhode Island Red laying hens found that dietary sesame oil supplementation at 1.5 mL/kg significantly increased daily and weekly egg production compared to control hens receiving no sesame oil.
According to a 2026 study of 240 laying hens, sesame oil supplementation reduced low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) and total cholesterol while increasing high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol), indicating improved metabolic health.
A 2026 five-week study of 240 laying hens demonstrated that sesame oil supplementation enhanced antioxidant status by increasing superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, strengthening the immune system.
Research on 240 laying hens in 2026 showed that dietary sesame oil reduced intestinal counts of harmful bacteria including Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli while improving intestinal structure by increasing villus height.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether adding sesame oil to chicken feed improves egg production, egg quality, chicken health, and gut bacteria
- Who participated: 240 healthy Rhode Island Red laying hens, about 30 weeks old, divided into four groups over a five-week study period
- Key finding: Hens fed the highest amount of sesame oil (1.5 mL per kilogram of feed) produced significantly more eggs and had better cholesterol levels and stronger immune systems compared to hens eating regular feed
- What it means for you: If you raise chickens or care about where eggs come from, sesame oil could be a natural, safe way to improve egg production and chicken health without changing the eggs themselves
The Research Details
Scientists divided 240 laying hens into four equal groups. One group ate normal chicken feed (the control group), while the other three groups ate the same feed but with different amounts of sesame oil mixed in: a small amount (0.5 mL per kilogram), a medium amount (1.0 mL per kilogram), or a larger amount (1.5 mL per kilogram). Each group had five smaller subgroups of 12 birds to make sure results were reliable. The study lasted five weeks, and researchers measured everything from how many eggs the hens laid to the health of their intestines.
This research design is important because it allows scientists to see exactly how much sesame oil works best and whether more is always better. By comparing different amounts to a control group, researchers can prove that sesame oil itself—not something else—caused the improvements. The five-week timeframe was long enough to see real changes in the hens’ bodies and egg production.
This study was well-designed with a clear control group and multiple test groups, which strengthens the findings. The researchers measured many different outcomes (production, health markers, gut bacteria, intestinal structure) rather than just one thing, giving a complete picture. However, the study only lasted five weeks, so we don’t know if benefits continue longer. The study was conducted in a controlled farm setting, which is realistic but may not reflect all farm conditions.
What the Results Show
Hens that received sesame oil produced more eggs than the control group. The improvement was greatest in hens receiving the highest dose (1.5 mL/kg), which produced the most eggs both daily and weekly. The hens also needed less feed to produce each egg, meaning sesame oil made them more efficient at converting feed into eggs. Feed intake increased slightly but stayed within normal, healthy ranges for chickens.
The sesame oil also improved the hens’ cholesterol levels in ways that suggest better health. Bad cholesterol (LDL) and total cholesterol decreased significantly, while good cholesterol (HDL) increased. Triglycerides (another type of fat in the blood) stayed the same. These changes mirror what doctors want to see in human health too.
The hens’ immune systems became stronger. Two important immune proteins—superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase—increased in the blood, meaning the hens’ bodies were better equipped to fight off damage and disease. Overall antioxidant status (the body’s ability to protect itself) improved significantly.
The intestines of sesame oil-fed hens became healthier. The finger-like structures in the intestines (called villi) grew taller, which helps absorb more nutrients. Harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli decreased in the intestines, suggesting better gut health and disease resistance.
Egg quality traits like egg weight, shell thickness, and the consistency of the egg white (measured by Haugh unit) were not affected by sesame oil supplementation. This is actually good news because it means sesame oil improved production without changing what consumers care about in eggs. The intestinal improvements were most noticeable in the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), suggesting this is where sesame oil has its strongest effect.
This study builds on earlier research showing that plant-based oils can improve farm animal health. Sesame oil is known to contain compounds that fight inflammation and oxidative stress (cellular damage), which explains why it helped the hens’ immune systems. The improvements in gut bacteria and intestinal structure align with what researchers have seen with other natural feed additives. However, this appears to be one of the first detailed studies of sesame oil specifically in laying hens, making it a novel contribution to poultry nutrition science.
The study only lasted five weeks, so we don’t know if benefits continue, decrease, or plateau over longer periods. The research was done in a controlled laboratory farm setting, which may not reflect all real-world farm conditions, different climates, or different chicken breeds. The study didn’t measure whether the improvements in chicken health translated to any measurable benefits for humans eating the eggs. We also don’t know the cost-effectiveness of adding sesame oil compared to other feed additives, which matters for farmers deciding whether to use it.
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, sesame oil at 1.5 mL per kilogram of feed appears to be the most effective dose for improving egg production and chicken health. This recommendation has moderate-to-strong confidence because the study was well-designed, but it’s based on a single five-week study. Farmers interested in trying sesame oil should start with this dose and monitor results. The oil appears safe and doesn’t harm egg quality, making it a low-risk addition to try.
Chicken farmers and producers who want to improve egg production naturally should pay attention to this research. People who buy eggs and care about animal welfare may appreciate that sesame oil improves chicken health. Pet chicken owners might also benefit. However, this research is specific to laying hens and may not apply to meat chickens, other poultry, or other animals. People with sesame allergies should be aware that sesame oil in feed could theoretically affect eggs, though this wasn’t studied.
Based on the five-week study, improvements in egg production appeared within the first few weeks. Immune system improvements and gut bacteria changes likely took a few weeks to develop. If you were to try this on your own farm, you should expect to see increased egg production within 2-4 weeks, with full benefits visible by week 5. However, longer-term studies are needed to know if benefits continue beyond five weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does sesame oil really improve chicken egg production?
Yes, according to a 2026 study of 240 laying hens, sesame oil supplementation at 1.5 mL per kilogram of feed significantly increased both daily and weekly egg production compared to hens receiving regular feed without sesame oil.
Will sesame oil in chicken feed change the eggs I buy?
No, the research found that sesame oil supplementation did not affect egg weight, shell characteristics, or egg white quality. The eggs looked and measured the same as eggs from hens eating regular feed.
How much sesame oil should you give chickens?
The 2026 study found that 1.5 mL of sesame oil per kilogram of feed produced the best results for egg production and chicken health. Lower amounts (0.5 or 1.0 mL/kg) showed some benefits but were less effective than the highest dose.
Can sesame oil help chicken immune systems?
Research shows that sesame oil supplementation significantly increased immune-protective proteins (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) in laying hens’ blood and reduced harmful gut bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella.
Is sesame oil safe to add to chicken feed?
Based on this five-week study, sesame oil appeared safe with no negative effects on egg quality or hen health. However, longer-term safety studies would provide additional confidence for extended use.
Want to Apply This Research?
- If managing a flock, track daily egg production count and feed consumption daily. Record the date sesame oil supplementation began and monitor for any changes in egg appearance, shell quality, or hen behavior. Create a simple spreadsheet with columns for date, eggs produced, feed consumed, and notes on hen health.
- For chicken owners using a farm management app, set up a reminder to add sesame oil to feed at the recommended dose (1.5 mL per kilogram) and log each feeding. Take weekly photos of eggs to monitor for any quality changes. Set a goal to measure egg production weekly and compare it to baseline production before supplementation began.
- Establish a baseline of current egg production for 1-2 weeks before starting sesame oil. Then track weekly egg production for at least 5 weeks to see if the pattern matches the study results. Monitor feed costs and calculate whether increased egg production justifies the cost of sesame oil. Keep notes on any changes in hen behavior, health, or egg appearance to identify any unexpected effects.
This research describes effects of sesame oil supplementation in laying hens under controlled laboratory conditions over a five-week period. Results may not apply to all chicken breeds, farm environments, or longer time periods. Before making changes to chicken feed, consult with a veterinarian or poultry nutrition specialist, especially if chickens have existing health conditions or allergies. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional agricultural or veterinary advice. Individual results may vary based on farm conditions, chicken genetics, and management practices.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.