The Effects of Polyphenols Provided in ovo on the Hatchability and Growth of Broiler Chicks

In ovo technology can be used to prevent lower body weights in chicks caused by finite nutrient availability during embryonic development and after hatching. At day 17 of incubation, 240 eggs (60/treatment) from Cobb broilers were provided one of four in ovo injection treatments: noninjection (control), diluent (2.5 mL), tea polyphenol (6.25mg/2.5mL diluent), or seaweed polyphenol (6.25mg/2.5mL diluent). Chi-square analysis showed no significant differences between treatments during incubation (P=0.911), or at hatching (P=0.555). Chicks were raised (9 birds/pen; 4 pens/per treatment) until 36 days of age. Body weight and feed consumption were measured weekly, and blood glucose levels were measured after hatch, following placement, and on day 7. There were no significant differences among treatments for average weight, despite significantly higher feed intake during week one for chicks provided tea polyphenols in ovo (P=0.012). Chicks provided seaweed polyphenols had significantly higher weight gains than all other treatments at week one (P=0.033). Chicks provided with diluent gained the most weight during week three (P<0.001). At week four, daily weight gain for the same group was significantly lower than other treatments (P<0.001). Chicks provided diluent injection had a higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P<0.001) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) (P<0.001) during week three. During week four, FCR and PER was significantly lower in the diluent treatment (P=0.002, P=0.009) compared to the other treatments. There were no significant differences between treatments for blood glucose measurements. Future research should consider the effect of in ovo polyphenols on gastrointestinal development and glycogen storage.

Presented at the 2024 Animal Nutrition Conference of Canada. For information on the next edition, click here.