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Influence of in ovo arginine feeding on hatching traits and post-hatch performance of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens in two housing types

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Abstract

The demand for animal protein in Nigeria is so high that introduction of new management techniques to improve poultry production is relevant. This study investigated the effects of in ovo administration of arginine on hatching traits and post-hatch performance of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens in two housing types. A total of 528 hatching eggs of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens were used for the study for 11 weeks. Hatching eggs were sorted, balanced for weight and fumigated before setting in the incubator. On the 14th day of incubation 378 eggs were confirmed fertile and they were redistributed into 3 treatment groups (0, 11 and 22 mg of arginine/egg) each consisting 126 eggs, replicated 14 times (9 eggs per replicate). At the 18th day of incubation, in ovo injection of arginine was carried out and at the 21st day of incubation, resulting chicks were balanced for weight, assigned to treatments and assessed for post-hatch performance. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomised design. In the results, hatchability was 92.86% (control), 88.39% (injection with 11 mg of arginine) and 91.07% in birds resulting from in ovo injection of 22 mg of arginine. In ovo injection of 11 and 22 mg of arginine improved the development of duodenal villi in the birds. In ovo injection of 22 and 11 mg of arginine enhanced CMIR after 24 (0.300 mm) and 48 h (0.223 mm) of injecting phytohaemagglutinin type P (PHA-P) antigen. Birds on outdoor run had higher (0.282, 0.224 mm) CMIR after 24 and 48 h of injecting PHA-P relative to those raised in deep litter housing. Birds from in ovo injection of 22 mg of arginine had a significantly lowered daily feed intake (68.38 g/bird) relative to other treatments. Deep litter housing significantly (p < 0.05) improved daily weight gain (25.02 g/bird) of birds as against outdoor run (22.62 g/bird). It was concluded that in ovo injection of 11 or 22 mg of arginine numerically improved hatchability and cell-mediated immune response with enhanced duodenal villi development, while in ovo injection of 22 mg of arginine and raising resulting birds on outdoor run is suitable for achieving significantly lower feed intake with better feed conversion ratio in FUNAAB-Alpha chickens.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the World Bank Centre of Excellence in Agriculture Development and Sustainable Environment, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, for the grants in-aid provided for the study. The College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, is also appreciated for the provision of equipment and materials for the field study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Production and Health, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

    Olusola Joshua Odutayo, Olajide Mark Sogunle & Olajide Ayorinde Adeyemi

  2. Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

    Adekayode Olanrewaju Sonibare

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  1. Olusola Joshua Odutayo
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  2. Olajide Mark Sogunle
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  3. Olajide Ayorinde Adeyemi
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  4. Adekayode Olanrewaju Sonibare
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Correspondence to Olusola Joshua Odutayo.

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Odutayo, O.J., Sogunle, O.M., Adeyemi, O.A. et al. Influence of in ovo arginine feeding on hatching traits and post-hatch performance of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens in two housing types. Trop Anim Health Prod 52, 2349–2357 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-020-02258-x

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