Effect of a commercial product containing canthaxanthin for in ovo feeding to broiler embryos on hatchability, chick quality, oxidation status, and performance

In ovo feeding has been indicated to improve hatchability, newly hatched chick quality, and broiler performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of in ovo feeding of a commercial canthaxanthin product (CCX) containing lignosulphonate, corn starch, canthaxanthin, dextrin (yellow), and ethoxyquin through assessing incubation results, newly hatched quality and oxidation status and broiler performance at 1 to 14 d of age. A total of 780 egg were distributed in a randomized complete block design with 5 treatments (levels of CCX: 0.0, 0.35, 0.45, 0.55, and 0.65 mg/0.5 mL of sterilized and distilled water) and 156 eggs per treatment. The blocking factor was setters. At 17.5 d of embryo development, in ovo injected treatments were applied, using a manual needle. The in ovo feeding of CCX resulted in lower hatching rates (P < 0.05) and a longer hatching window (P < 0.05) as compared with noninjected CCX treatment. The CCX injection did not affect the bursa and spleen percentage of newly hatched chick (P > 0.05). In addition, a higher percentage of chicks with poor physical quality score (<71.0 points) was obtained among the chicks from eggs injected with 0.55 and 0.65 mg of CCX (P < 0.05). There were higher total proteins and catalase activity in the livers of the chicks injected with CCX. Broiler chicks in the control group (0.0 mg of CCX) presented higher BW and BW gain during 1 to 7 and 7 to 14 d of after hatch (P < 0.05). The viability (%) of chicks at 1 to 14 d of after hatch decreased with inoculation greater than 0.45 mg of CCX in ovo (P < 0.05). Although the CCX shown an improvement in oxidation status of chicks, the hatchability and performance of broilers decreased. We concluded that a commercial CCX is not recommended for injection in ovo, and furthers studies should carried out to elucidate the use of pure canthaxanthin.