The effects of in ovo injection of glucose and magnesium in broiler breeder eggs on hatching traits, performance, carcass characteristics and blood parameters of broiler chickens

The effects of in ovo injection of glucose and magnesium on hatching traits, performance, carcass characteristics and the blood parameters of Cobb x Cobb 500 broilers, hatched from eggs laid by a 29-wk-old breeder flock were determined until the 42nd day of age. Fertilized eggs were injected in the albumen with glucose (75 and 100 mg dissolved in 0.5 mL of deionized water), magnesium (4 mg dissolved in 0.5 mL of deionized water) and glucose with magnesium (glucose 75 mg + magnesium 4 mg dissolved in 0.5 mL of deionized water and glucose 100 mg + magnesium 4 mg dissolved in 0.5 mL of deionized water) on the 7th day of incubation. Two control groups (noninjected and injected with 0.5 mL of deionized water) were also included. Upon hatching, the hatchability, weight of newly-hatched chickens and the concentration of blood glucose and magnesium were assessed. Furthermore, BW gain, feed intake per bird, and feed conversion ratio were determined at 21 and 42 d post-hatch. On the 42nd day, weights of live body, carcass, parts of carcass (breast, legs, wings and neck) and organs of birds (heart, liver, and gizzard) were recorded. The results of the study indicate that the weight of newly-hatched chickens was significantly higher in groups with glucose and glucose + magnesium injection than in control, sham and magnesium groups. But, in ovo administration resulted in significantly lower hatchability than in control group (P < 0.01). Chickens from in ovo injection of glucose and glucose + magnesium group had an improved weight gain and feed conversion ratio compared to chickens hatched from control, sham and magnesium group (P < 0.01). Also, chickens from in ovo injection of glucose + magnesium group had improved weight of carcass, breast and gizzard than control and sham group.