Embryo Development and Post-Hatch Performances of Kampung Chicken by in Ovo Feeding of L-Arginine
Abstract: The research was
conducted to evaluate embryo development, post-hatch performances, and growth
rate of kampung chicken treated in-ovo feeding of L-Arginine. A total of 135
kampung chicken fertile eggs (weight 42-43 g) were used and divided into 5
treatment groups of three replications. They were placed in the semi-automatic
incubator. The first group was without in-ovo feeding (negative control); the
second group was in-ovo feeding of saline 0.9% (positive control); the 3, 4,
and 5 groups were in-ovo feeding of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% L-Arginine,
respectively. In-ovo feeding of L-Arginine were injected into albumen on day 10
of incubation period using automatic syringe in the narrow end side of egg by
inserting needle through a small hole at 10 mm depth. After hatching, all day
old chicks were placed in floor pens (1 x 0.5 x 0.5 m) accordance with the
previous egg groups. The results showed that in-ovo feeding of L-Arginine
increased weight and circumference of the embryo, but did not affect the length
of embryo. In-ovo feeding of L-Arginine resulted in a higher body weight gain
and a lower feed conversion even though feed intake was not significantly
different compared to the control groups. The growth rate performance up to 6
weeks rearing increased significantly by increasing L-Arginine administration
to 1.0%. It can be concluded that embryo development and post-hatch
performances of kampung chicken were markedly increased by in-ovo feeding of
L-arginine.
Keywords: embryo; in-ovo
feeding, amino acid; productivity; kampung chicken
Author: M. Azhar, D. P.
Rahardja, W. Pakiding
Journal Code: jppeternakangg160054