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ABSTRACT Royal jelly renowned for its robust nutritional, functional, and biological properties, is a pivotal product derived from honeybees. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the theory that in ovo injection of freeze‐dried royal jelly (FDRJ) solutions at varying concentrations can influence the hatchability, blood properties and hatching characteristics of day‐old chicks. A total of 480 eggs (54.81 ± 0.187 g) were allocated into four experimental groups: negative control (NC), without injection, positive control (PC), administered with regular saline, a low FDRJ dose group (9 mg/egg), and a high FDRJ dose group (18 mg/egg). The in ovo injections were administered on Day 18 of incubation, and the experiment was subsequently continued until the incubation period concluded at 21 days. Results revealed that the lower FDRJ dose (9 mg/egg) significantly improved hatchability percentages compared to other treatments. Conversely, the higher FDRJ dose (18 mg/egg) and control groups (NC and PC) resulted in significantly higher chick yield percentages than the lower FDRJ and PC groups. The NC group showed the supreme yolk sac (YS) percentage, whereas the yolk‐free body mass (YFBM) percentages displayed an inverse trend. Furthermore, the in ovo FDRJ injection did not affect haematological values or the relative organ weight of day‐old chicks. In conclusion, in ovo FDRJ injection demonstrated beneficial effects on hatchability and chick weight, as evidenced by the studied parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of early access to feed and water post-hatch on broiler chicks' performance. One hundred and twenty chicks were transferred from the hatchery to the rearing house and randomly divided into two groups. The first group: chicks were immediately access to feed and water (F-time 0). The second group: was held without feed and water for 24 h (F-time 24). Then, feed and water were provided ad-libitum, for both groups until 35 days of age. Results indicated that F-time 0 increased body weight and body weight gain throughout the experimental period. It increased feed intake during all experimental periods except from (22–28 days). Additionally, the F-time 0 enhanced the European production efficiency factor index. The F-time 24, increased red blood cells (RBCs) count, hemoglobin (HGB), and packed cell volume (PCV) percentage after 24 h. However, the F-time 0 had a higher RBCs count, HGB, and PCV at 35 days of age. F-time 24 increased total plasma protein, albumin, cholesterol, and triglycerides, after 24 h. In conclusion, early access to feed and water post-hatch enhances broiler chicks' performance and productivity and increases producers' revenue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed at investigating the potential as a growth enhancer of different dietary concentrations of turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.) as an alternative to oxytetracyline (OTC) as antibiotic and as comparable to mannan oligosaccharide for broiler chicks. A total of 252 Hubbard broiler chicks at one day of age were distributed randomly in a straight run experimental design among six treatments, each replicated seven times, with six unsexed chicks per replicate. The basal diet was administered without supplements (control group) or supplemented with turmeric at 0.5, 1, and 2 g/kg diet, or with mannan oligosacride (MOS) at 1 g/kg feed or with OTC at 50 mg/kg feed. Growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality traits, blood biochemical constituents, antioxidant status and red blood cell (RBCs) were investigated. Turmeric supplementation at 1 g/kg feed significantly improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) and European production index compared to the control group and MOS groups. The results indicated that turmeric can be used at 1 kg/t feed as a phytogenic feed additive as an alternative to OTC or MOS without negative effects on the productive and economic traits of broilers. There were no differences from using OTC and MOS, while there was an increase in the European production efficiency index and the broilers' health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]