Dr Rajeeb Kumar Roy, MVSc
Dr Debashis Dutta, MVSc, PhD (Pursuing)
RR Animal Healthcare Limited
Abstract
Hatchability is a key parameter in poultry production, reflecting both fertility and embryo survival during incubation. Vitamins play pivotal roles in numerous physiological and biochemical processes related to reproduction, embryonic development, antioxidant defense, and metabolic regulation. This review synthesizes current literature on how different vitamins (A, B complex, C, D, E) affect hatchability, embryo mortality, chick quality, and related parameters. Evidence supports the positive roles of many vitamins, though effects often depend on dosage, timing (maternal diet vs in-ovo injection), storage conditions of eggs, and breed/strain. Understanding optimal vitamin supplementation can lead to improved reproductive performance, reduced mortality, and better chick vigor.
Introduction
- Hatchability = proportion of fertilized eggs that produce live chicks. It depends on fertility, embryo survival, egg quality, storage, incubation conditions.
- Vitamins are organic micronutrients essential for normal metabolism. Deficiency or suboptimal supply can impair embryo development, cause increased mortality, deformities, weak chicks.
- Vitamins can be supplied via maternal diet, via in ovo injection, or other means.
This review examines main vitamins studied (A, B complex, C, D, E), their mechanisms, experimental findings, and gaps for future research.
Vitamins and Their Roles Related to Hatchability
Here are the different vitamins, mechanisms by which they influence hatchability, and empirical evidence.
| Vitamin | Mechanisms relevant to hatchability | Empirical findings |
| Vitamin A | Important for cell differentiation, epithelial integrity, vision; influences fertility of hens/cocks; supports immune function; may reduce embryonic malformations linked to vitamin A deficiency. | In Anak 2000 breeders, combined administration of vitamin A + E improved fertility and hatchability significantly: before treatment fertility ~ 46%, hatchability ~ 40.5%; after ~ 76.9% fertility & ~ 76.8% hatchability. journal.funaab.edu.ng |
| B Vitamins (B1, B2, B12 etc.) | Coenzymes in energy metabolism, growth; needed for nucleic acid and protein synthesis; influences embryo mortality; support nervous system development. | A recent study injecting vitamins B1, B2 and E in ovo in Cobb 500 eggs found that hatchability rates were not significantly affected, but late embryonic mortality decreased, chick weight increased, and other biochemical parameters improved. jappmu.journals.ekb.eg |
| Vitamin C | Strong antioxidant; may help reduce oxidative stress especially during heat stress or long storage; supports capillary integrity, reduction of embryo mortality. | In ovo injection studies: in chickens, vitamin C injection did not significantly change hatchability (though there were improvements in embryo survivals etc.), but in ducks, injections of vitamin C produced large improvements (difference ~32.5 percentage points in hatchability) compared to control. PubMed |
| Vitamin D (esp. D3) | Regulates calcium metabolism; necessary for eggshell quality; embryo skeletal development; influence on fertility and embryonic death. | – Turkey hens fed low D3 (300 IU/kg) had reduced hatchability compared to those fed higher levels (900 or 2700 IU/kg). PubMed – A study in “two local strains” of chickens with varying levels of dietary D3 showed effects on fertility & hatchability depending on age, strain, supplementation. EKB Journals – Also in ovo injection of D3 (with E) improved hatchability in some studies. veterinaria.org |
| Vitamin E | One of the most frequently studied; potent antioxidant; protects lipids, membranes during oxidative stress; helps embryo survival during storage and incubation; supports immune function. | Many findings: • Maternal dietary vitamin E at higher levels (200-400 mg/kg) increased hatchability of fertile eggs, decreased early embryonic mortality, improved antioxidant markers. PubMed • In ovo feeding of vitamin E increased hatch rate, improved hatchling quality and oxidative state; higher doses (e.g. 60.4 IU in one study) gave best results. PubMed • But some studies found that up to certain levels no additional benefits, and beyond may be less effective or wasteful. E.g. in the vitamin E supplementation in a ration with fish oil, increased fertility but no significant effect on hatchability or hatch weight. Directory of Open Access Journals |
Factors Affecting the Effects of Vitamins on Hatchability
From the literature, several modifying factors are important:
- Dosage: too low → deficiency; too high → possible toxicity or diminishing returns.
- Form / Route of administration: maternal diet vs in ovo injection. In ovo injections (late incubation) can give direct benefit to embryo, but timing is critical.
- Egg storage: Eggs stored for long periods see more oxidative damage; vitamins, especially antioxidants (E, C) can ameliorate damage during storage. Vitamin E dietary supplementation shown to be more effective when eggs stored 14 days. MDPI
- Breed/strain and age: Different strains have different baseline vitamin requirements; aged breeder hens may deposit less nutrients; strain may affect sensitivity.
- Environmental stressors: Heat stress, humidity, incubation environment; nutritional stress; oxidative stress. Under stress, vitamin requirements often increase.
- Interactions among vitamins and with other micronutrients: e.g. Vitamin E with selenium; Vitamin A with E; Vitamin D with calcium; B vitamins with folate etc. Synergistic or antagonistic effects matter.
Case Studies / Key Experimental Findings
- Maternal Vitamin E: In Ross 308 breeder hens, increasing dietary vitamin E to 200-400 mg/kg improved hatchability of fertile eggs, improved antioxidant status of embryos and newly hatched chicks, lowered early embryonic mortality. PubMed
- In Ovo Vitamin E Feeding: Injection of vitamin E at day 17−17.5 of incubation resulted in higher hatch rate, better chick quality (body weight, physical quality), improved intestinal development. Best results observed with ~60.4 IU VE in one study. PubMed
- Vitamin D3: Turkeys receiving only 300 IU D3/kg had lower eggshell quality and reduced hatchability vs those getting higher D3 levels. Embryo malformations (shortened upper mandible) observed under low D3. PubMed
- Vitamin C in Ducks: In ovo injection of vitamin C in Pekin duck eggs on certain days (day 12 or 20) increased hatchability significantly over controls. PubMed
- Combined Supplementation: Vitamin E + selenium in guinea fowl improved incubation response, embryo development, post-hatch growth. PubMed
Limitations, Inconsistencies & Gaps
- Some studies do not find significant effects on hatchability despite positive effects on embryo mortality, chick weight, or biochemical parameters. Example: the in ovo feeding of B1, B2, E in one study showed no significant difference in hatchability but better chick weights. jappmu.journals.ekb.eg
- Variability in experimental designs: differences in breeds, incubation conditions, egg storage, maternal nutrition background, making comparisons difficult.
- Dosage standardization lacking: what is “optimal” vitamin level often depends on context; risk of excessive levels not always well studied.
- Long-term effects post hatching (e.g., growth, immunity) less often measured in relation to hatchability.
- Little work on certain vitamins (some B vitamins, vitamins K) in relation to hatchability.
Practical Implications & Recommendations
Based on the reviewed evidence, the following practices are likely to improve hatchability via vitamin strategies:
- Ensure breeder hens have adequate dietary vitamin E, especially under conditions of egg storage or environmental stress.
- Monitor vitamin D3 levels in breeder diets to ensure proper eggshell formation and embryo development.
- Use in ovo injection of antioxidant vitamins (E, possibly C) in late incubation periods to enhance chick quality, reduce late embryo mortality—particularly in settings where breeders are under heat stress or eggs are stored for long.
- Combine vitamins with other micronutrients (selenium, trace minerals) to exploit synergistic effects.
- Regularly evaluate fertility, hatchability, embryonic mortality, and hatchling quality to adjust supplementation regimes, since breed, age, environmental factors influence needs.
- Avoid oversupplementation; test for residual effects or toxicity (though most studies show safety in ranges used).
Conclusions
- Vitamins have a substantial impact on hatchability in poultry, mainly through supporting embryo survival, antioxidant defense, and proper physiological development.
- Among vitamins, vitamin E, vitamin D3, and combinations (vitamin A + E, vitamin E + selenium) show the strongest, most consistent positive effects.
- In ovo injection of vitamins offers a valuable tool in certain cases, but isn’t always necessary or effective for hatchability itself (though improves chick quality often).
- More standardized studies are needed to determine optimal levels for various strains and management conditions, especially under stress (storage, heat, etc.).
- Ultimately, optimizing vitamin supplementation in breeder diets (and when appropriate via in ovo methods) is a cost-effective way to improve hatchability, reduce embryonic mortality, and obtain healthier chicks.
References
A selection of key references:
- Effects of maternal dietary vitamin E on egg characteristics, hatchability and offspring quality of prolonged storage eggs of broiler breeder hens. PubMed
- Vitamin E in ovo feeding to broiler embryos on hatchability, chick quality, oxidative state, and performance. PubMed
- Effects of supplemental vitamin E during the laying period on reproductive performance of Taiwan native chickens. PubMed
- In ovo injection of vitamin C during incubation on hatchability of chickens and ducks. PubMed
- Effects of dietary vitamin D3 on fertility and hatchability in chicken strains. EKB Journals
- Effects of vitamins A + E in breeders (Anak 2000) on fertility & hatchability. journal.funaab.edu.ng