Exploring the Confluence of In-Ovo Mineral Supplementation and Hatching Attributes in Broiler Chick Progeny: A Symphony of Nutritional Enrichment and Broiler Chicks Development

Abstract

Embryonic nutrition is a key factor that influences broiler progeny performance with long-lasting nutritional adequacies or insufficiencies in the developmental phase. Objective: To explores the effects of in-ovo mineral supplementation or day in-ovo feeding on the hatching attributes and chick quality in broiler breeders. Methods: About 1400 hatching eggs of broiler breeders were selected, categorized into seven experimental groups: one control group, three macro mineral (P, Mg, and Ca) groups, and three micro-mineral (Zn, Mn, and Cu) groups. During the 12th and 18th day of incubation, eggs received in-ovo injections of their respective mineral (5% of the total mineral content in a 50g egg) solutions, prepared by dissolving the corresponding salts in deionized water. Post-injection, eggs were placed in the setter, and upon completion of incubation, hatching trays were removed to evaluate hatchability performance and chick quality parameters for each group. Results: The results showed that Zn, Ca, and Mg-supplemented eggs demonstrated the highest (P<0.05) hatchability rates for settable and fertile eggs at day 12 of in-ovo feeding. The chick weight, hatch window, and hatchling size were significantly influenced (P<0.05) by in-ovo feeding and the day of in-ovo feeding. However, no effect of in-ovo mineral feeding and day of in ovo feeding was observed on chick quality (chick grades, navel area, retracted yolk, and membrane score) and post-hatch chick activities (activity, down-appearance, vitality, eye score, and gait score). Conclusions: In conclusion, Zn, Ca, and Mg in ovo feeding improve the hatchability traits when administered at day 12 of incubation.