Effect of In Ovo Feeding of the Vitamin B 12 on Hatchability, Performance and Blood Constitutes in Broiler Chicken

The aim of the current study was to determine effect of in ovo feeding of vitamin B 12 on hatchability, growth performance and blood constituents in broilers. A total of 1000 fertile broiler eggs were divided into four groups: control group (without injection), Sham group in ovo feeding of distiller water (40 µg), groups 3 and 4, receiving in ovo feeding of vitamin B 12 (20 and 40 µg) on day 13 of incubation. In groups 5 and 6, eggs in ovo injected with vitamin B 12 (20 and 40 µg) on day 15 of incubation. All eggs were incubated and after hatch chickens were assigned into their experimental groups. On days 1, 21 and 42 post-hatch, blood samples were taken for blood constituents. On days 21 and 42 post-hatch, food intake, body weight gain (BWG) and food conversion ratio were determined. At the end of the study, carcass characteristics were also determined. According to the results, hatchability significantly decreased in eggs in ovo injected with vitamin B 12 (20 and 40 µg) on day 13 of incubation and 20 µg on day 15 of incubation ( P < 0.05), but not in group 6 ( P > 0.05). A dose dependent increase observed in the glucose and total protein levels in eggs in ovo injected with vitamin B 12 on days 1 and 21 post hatch, as well as glucose and albumin levels on day 42 post hatch ( P < 0.05). Food intake significantly increased in birds on days 1–21, 21–42 and 1–42 compared to the control group ( P < 0.05). in ovo feeding of the vitamin B 12 improved BWG and food conversion ratio ( P < 0.05). These results suggest in ovo feeding of the vitamin B 12 had positive effects on subsequent performance in broiler chicken.