Effect of IOF and its interaction with post‐hatch feeding procedure on hatchability, some organs development and post‐hatch performance in broiler chickens

BACKGROUND: Under commercial conditions, chickens are fasted for the first 36 to 72 h post‐hatch. Delayed access to feed and water causes delayed development of the intestinal tract and retarded performance. OBJECTIVES: This study focused on the chick's life as affected by in ovo feeding (IOF) and the animal's interaction with the feeding procedure. The birds in a factorial arrangement (2 × 3) were placed into six treatment groups in a completely randomised design. The treatment groups differed in feed procedure, 6 h [early feeding (EF)] or 36 h [common feeding (CF)] post‐hatch, with or without IOF with beta‐hydroxy‐beta‐methyl butyrate (HMB) or calcium gluconate (CG) in a saline solution, and were examined for hatchability and performance parameters until 24 h post‐hatch. In addition, physical and histological characteristics of breast, jejunum and serum indices in 14 days post‐hatch and performance criteria until 35 days of age were recorded. METHODS: On day 17 of the incubation period, eggs were subjected to the IOF procedure. One mL of sterile IOF solution including 0.1% HMB or 0.4% CG dissolved in 5% saline solution was injected into the eggs. RESULTS: Results showed that IOF groups had lower (p < 0.05) FCR than the control group. The highest mortality rate was noted in the control‐CF group. The lowest myofibril density was related to the HMB‐CF group. Myofibril periphery, area and diameter for the HMB‐CF group were larger (p < 0.05) than those of the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated that injection of HMB increased hatchability by almost 15%. The IOF of HMB improved the digestive tract and breast muscle development and improved FCR.