EFFECT OF IN OVO BETAINE-HCL SUPPLEMENTATION ON HATCHABILITY, CHICK QUALITY AND ORGAN DEVELOPMENT OF BROILER CHICKS

Abstract

Two trials were carried out to assess the effect of in-ovo supplementation of Betaine-HCl on the hatchability. chick quality, performance and organ development of boiler chicks. Trial 1 was carried out using 160 Marshall broiler chicks at 18 day of incubation. Treatments included: un-injected control, 0.9% saline, 0.9% saline + 50mg of Betaine-HCl, 0.9% saline + 100mg Betaine-HCl and 0.9% saline +150mg Betaine-HCl. Trial 2 was carried out using 266 Marshall broiler chicks at 18 day of incubation. Treatments included: un- injected control, 0.9% saline, 0.9% saline + 50mg Betaine-HCl, 0.45% saline + 100mg Betaine-HCl and 0.23% saline + 150mg Betaine-HCl. Parameters observed were hatchability, chick quality (length) and chick weight. In trial 2 additional parameters observed were weight gain as well as relative organ weights. In-ovo Betaine-HCl supplementation was observed to influence various parameters observed (p<0.05) in both trials. Liver and pectoral muscle weights weights were also significantly (p<0.05) influenced by Betaine-HCl supplementation in-ovo.