In ovo feeding of carbohydrates for broilers—a systematic review

Abstract

The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence that the injection of carbohydrate‐based solutions into embryonated eggs improves broiler performance. A literature search was conducted in April 2017 using the keywords broiler, carbohydrate, in ovo, nutrition and poultry. Only papers that involved in ovo carbohydrate injections in poultry were used in this study. After specific selection criteria, 17 papers were selected. The quality scoring system of the selected studies was based on the injection methodology, use of control groups, type of solution injected, period of injection, egg and hens characteristics, number of variables analysed and the statistical design. Among papers, there was no standardised procedure in to inoculate the solutions. Nevertheless, in general, in ovo feeding of carbohydrates decreases the hatch rate, improves the hatch weight, but it does not seem to influence the post‐hatch performance of broilers. The inoculation of 75 mg of glucose in the albumen seems to bring better results. Further studies are needed to improve the technical methodology of in ovo injections for commercial use.