Hatchability, Some Hatchling Parameters, Quality Score, Survivability in Newly Hatched- Broiler Chicks Receiving a β-Alanine Solution In Ovo

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of In ovo injection of β-Alanine which is a modified form of the alanine amino acid on hatchability, hatching weight, chick quality score and survival in broiler breeder eggs. For this purpose, 120 fertile eggs from Ross 308 breeder (32-week-old) were allocated randomly to four groups with 3 replicates. Except the negative control group eggs (non injected; NC), to the amniotic fluid of the eggs in the other 3 groups were injected with 1 ml solutions 0.9% salt (Positive control, PK), 0.75% (0.75βA) or 1.5% (1.5βA) by using 19 mm and 27 gauge needle. Death rates at the different stages of embryonic development, hatching yield, weights and quality scores of chicks and mortalities were recorded at hatching day. Hatching weight of the chicks in the 0.75βA group was higher than other two control groups. Accessing feed, determined as an indicator of chick quality, was better in the 0.75βA group. Conversely, mobility score of chicks in the NC group was higher than other groups. Hatching yield, chick quality score and mortalities of the first week were not affected from In ovo βA injection. Results of this study demonstrated that In ovo βA injection can be used up to 1.5% without any deteriorations on weight, quality and mortalities of chicks but 0.75% βA injection induced better hatching characteristics.