Effects of In Ovo Feeding of L-Carnitine and Satureja Khuzistanica Extract on Hatchability, Post-Hatch Performance and Carcass Characteristics in Broiler Chickens

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of in ovo feeding of L-carnitine and Satureja Khuzistanica extract on hatchability, post-hatch performance and carcass traits in broiler chickens. A total of 560 fertile eggs of Ross 308 strain (36-wk-old breeder flock) were assigned randomly to seven treatments with four replicates and 20 eggs per replicate. Treatments included control group (noninjected), dry punch, physiological saline injection, in ovo injection of L-carnitine (20 and 30 mg) and in ovo injection of Satureja khuzistanica extract (10 and 20 mg). Treatment solutions were injected into the air sac on d 17 of incubation. After hatch, 10 chicks per each replicate were distributed in pens and reared up to 42 d of age. The highest and the lowest rate of hatchability were observed respectively with injection of L-carnitine (30 mg) and Satureja khuzistanica extract (20 mg) into fertile eggs (P<0.05). In ovo administration of L-carnitine (30 mg) increased hatch weight of broiler chicks compared to other groups (P<0.05). The highest body weight gain in broiler chicks after hatch were observed in fertile eggs injected with 30 mg of L-carnitine (P<0.05). In ovo injection of L-carnitine (30 mg) into fertile chicken eggs at 17 d of incubation improved feed conversion ratio of broiler chicks after hatch (P<0.05). Therefore, it can be concluded that the in ovo administration of L-carnitine (30 mg) had positive effects on hatchability, hatching weight and feed conversion ratio in broiler chicks.