Hatchability Traits of Domyati Duck Eggs and Subsequent growth Performance of Ducklings As Affected By Pre-Incubation in Ovo Injection with L-Carnitine | ||||
| Journal of Animal and Poultry Production | ||||
| Article 3, Volume 7, Issue 7, July 2016, Page 241-248 PDF (256.36 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/jappmu.2016.48707 | ||||
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| Author | ||||
| A. I.A. Ghonim | ||||
| Anim. Prod. Res. Institute, Agric. Res. Center, Ministry of Agric. Dokki, Giza. | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| The main objective of the experiment is to study the effects of pre-incubation in ovo injection with different levels of L-carnitine (L-Car) on hatchability traits of Domyati duck eggs and subsequent growth performance, carcass traits, and some blood plasma constituents of ducklings. A total of 504 eggs were obtained from Domyati duck flock with an average weight 68gm. Before incubation, eggs were randomly divided into six main groups each of 84 eggs in three replicates ( 28 eggs each). The 1st group was used as a negative control (C) without injection.The2nd group (S)was used as a positive control injected with 0.1ml saline solution (solvent). The 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th groups were injected with 0.1 ml saline solution contains: 2, 4, 6 or 8 mg L-Car respectively. Hatchability, early (at 10 days of incubation), late (at the end of incubation) embryonic mortality and culled ducklings percentages were calculated based on the number of the fertile eggs. A total of 180 hatched ducklings belonging to the same six experimental treatment groups were divided into six groups,(of 30ducklings in three replicate,10 ducklings each). The Live body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption , feed conversion ratio and performance index were determined. The results indicated that, injection with 6 or 8 mg L-Car had significantly (P≤0.01) increased hatchability (%)compared with the other treatment groups. Also, early and late embryonic mortality were significantly (P≤0.05)decreased by in ovo injection with L-Car at doses 6 or 8 mg and insignificantly decreased culled ducklings. A significant (P≤0.01) improvement of live body weight from hatch up to the end of experimental period(1-84 days of age) was observed. The highest values were recorded by in ovo injection with L-Car at doses 6, 8, 4, and 2 mg respectively compared to the control groups. Ducklings hatched from eggs injected with L-Car (8 or 6 mg) had significantly (P≤0.01) improved body weight gain at the period from 1-28 day and the whole experimental period from 1-84 day of age. Significant improvement of feed conversion ratio and performance index was observed as a result of in ovo injection with L-Car. The better values were recorded by 6, 8,4 and 2 mg respectively compared to the control groups. The pre incubation in ovo injection with L-Car into Domyati duck eggs at doses of 2, 4, 6 and 8 mg, resulted in significant increase (P≤0.05) in the relative weight of empty carcass, major and minor pectrolis, Thigh muscle and liver, while, the breast skin with its subc. fat, Thigh skin with its subc. fat and abdominal fat (%) were significantly decreased as compared to the control groups. Plasma triglycerides, thyroxine, (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) levels were significantly lower (for triglycerides) and higher for T4 and T3 hormones in the L-Car treatments compared with the control groups. Blood plasma level of MDA was significantly lower of ducks that hatched from L-Car injected eggs, especially those injected with 6 or 8 mg/ egg. It is concluded that, the pre-incubation in ovo injection with 6 or 8 mg L-carnitine could be used as a tool for improving the hatchability traits of Domyati duck eggs and growth performance, carcass yield and decrease fat deposition in ducklings carcasses at marketing age. It is suggested to use in ovo injection technique immediately before incubation to reduce the negative impacts (if any) of injection during embryogenesis, and for easy handling of eggs. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| L-carnitine- in ovo injection- pre-incubation- performance- Carcass- Blood plasma T3; T4; MDA- Ducks | ||||
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