Feeding the future: Prospects of in ovo feeding for more efficient poultry production

This paper examines the critical phase of embryo to hatchling transition in broilers, focusing on the detrimental effects of delayed access to feed and the innovative approach of in-ovo feeding (IOF) to counter these challenges. The common practice in commercial hatcheries results in early-hatched broilers experiencing significant nourishment delays, leading to dehydration, weight loss, and increased disease susceptibility due to extended fasting periods. This issue is intensified in modern broiler breeds with higher metabolic and growth rates. IOF, introduced on embryonic day (E) 17.5, offers applicative and beneficial promise by directly delivering essential nutrients into the amniotic fluid, exploiting the natural consumption behavior of embryos, and addressing nutritional needs before hatching. This method has been extensively investigated in hundreds of papers, and shown significant benefits, including improved energy status and enhanced development of the intestinal tract, bones, and muscles. This paper highlights IOF's potential to provide a jumpstart for broilers and improve their health and growth, mitigate adverse effects of delayed feeding, and contribute to more sustainable poultry farming practices by enhancing early-life nutritional status and efficiency. Supported by a large body of knowledge, the vision of inserting nutrients together with vaccination, prior to hatch, will become a reality in the near future.