In ovo feeding of carbohydrates for broilers: a meta-analysis

Abstract

The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of inoculating fertilized eggs with carbohydrates on the hatching and posthatching characteristics of broilers. The search for scientific articles was conducted in September 2021 in different databases using the keywords (carbohydrate OR carbohydrates OR glucose OR dextrose OR dextrin OR maltodextrin OR fructose OR maltose OR isomaltose OR isomaltulose OR sucrose OR galactose OR trehalose OR sorbitol OR mannitol OR starch OR amylose OR amylopectin) AND ("in ovo") AND (broilers OR broiler). Only articles that evaluated the effect of in ovo feeding of carbohydrates on hatching (hatchability and hatch weight) and/or posthatching (performance) parameters in broilers were used. The meta-analysis was performed using the random effects model, considering the differences between the group inoculated with carbohydrates and the placebo control. The inoculation of carbohydrates did not influence (P > 0.05) hatchability. Glucose ranging from 50 to 125 mg/egg increased (P < 0.01) hatch weight. As for the post-hatching performance, only studies with glucose were found. Glucose at 75 mg/egg increased (P < 0.01) the weight gain and decreased (P < 0.01) the feed conversion ratio, although only a single study has evaluated this dose. Inoculation of solutions between the 7th and 10th days of incubation in the albumen using deionized water as vehicle increased (P < 0.01) hatching weight and weight gain and decreased (P < 0.05) the feed conversion ratio without to affect (P > 0.05) hatchability. In conclusion, the in ovo feeding of carbohydrates can be used to improve broiler performance, with glucose at 75 mg/egg being the most appropriate carbohydrate. Deionized water should be used as a dilution vehicle, and the albumen is the recommended site for inoculation. The solutions should be inoculated between the 7th and 8th days of incubation.