Effects of in ovo Administration of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Vitamin C on Hatchability Performance and Redox Status in Day Old Kadaknath Hatchlings

Abstract

Background: In poultry industry, hatcheries play a vital role in connecting the poultry production chain and are expected in the productive performance, with an impact on company profits. The use of in ovo feeding support poultry embryonic development and offers the production efficiency and welfare of commercial poultry. Methods: This study investigated the impact of in ovo administration of normal saline, Zinc oxide nanoparticles and Vitamin C on hatchability, chick growth and redox status in Kadaknath hatchlings. Zinc oxide nanostructures were synthesized by chemical method and characterized for size determination. A total of 150 fertile eggs of the Kadaknath poultry breed were divided into five groups (T0 to T4) and treated with in ovo administration of 200 μl each of normal saline, zinc oxide nanoparticles (5 and 10 ppm) and Vitamin C respectively on the 18th day of incubation through air sac into amniotic fluid. Result: Rod shaped nanostructures ranging from 45 to 98 nm were synthesized and showed sharp peak positioned at 436.59 cm-1. Zinc nano composite 5 ppm and vitamin C administration had significantly (p less than 0.05) improved hatchability, hatch weight, chick weight and egg weight ratio and antioxidant status.