The Effects of In-Ovo Injected D-Glucose Monohydrate and Ascorbic Acid on Hatchability, Body Weight and Early Post-Hatch Performance of Geese

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to determine the impact of in-ovo injected D-Glucose monohydrate and ascorbic acid on hatchability, body weight and early post-hatch performance of geese. The 360 eggs from a 50-wk-old Embden crossbred breeder flock were set in a single-stage incubator with 4 treatments. The experimental treatments were: (1) non-injected Control, (2) Dextrose 24 mg / 0.5 mL, (3) Vitamin C 10 mg / 0.1 mL (4) Dextrose 24 mg / 0.5 mL + Vitamin C 10 mg / 0.1 mL. At 11 and 18 d of incubation, the eggs were injected into the albumen manually under sterile conditions. At 25 d of incubation, the same amount of the agents was injected into the yolk sac of the fertile eggs with the same procedure. The hatchability of the Control and Dextrose + Vitamin C groups were statistically different (P < 0.05). Although there was a statistically insignificant difference, the highest value was recorded in the Dextrose + Vitamin C group on the 25th-day. The hatchling weights were only influenced by the agents. The 25th-day Dextrose + Vitamin C treatment had the greatest values at body weights at hatch. There were no statistical differences by the injection days, agents and interactions regarding body weights at 7th-day post-hatch. In addition, there was no significant impact of different injection sites on both hatchling weight and, body weights of post-hatch 7th-day. It is suggested that the in-ovo injection should administrate on the 25th day of incubation into the yolk sac in goose eggs with a mixture of D-Glucose monohydrate and ascorbic acid.