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Table 2 Maternal n-3 fatty acid rich-diet and chick performance post-hatch

From: Hatching egg polyunsaturated fatty acids and the broiler chick

Dietary fat source, level and reference

Reported outcome

Soybean or fish oil (55 g/kg) [36]

Inclusion of fish oil led to increased embryonic mortality, reduced hatchability and hatched chick weight.

Fish, flax or safflower oil (3.5%, wt/wt) [37]

Feeding fish oil led to reduction in hatched chick weight.

Fish or sunflower oil (3.5%) or a mix of both oils [38]

Reduction in body weight at day of hatch for chicks from hens fed 3.5% fish oil diet. The differences in body weight observed at hatch persisted during growth and the final body weight was lower in chicks from hens fed fish oil diet. No effect on fertility or hatchability.

Sunflower or fish oil (50 g/kg), or a mix of both [39]

Reduction in day old chick weight by inclusion of fish oil. Effect of maternal diet on post hatch growth persisted up to 3 weeks. At d 42, no difference in body weight or overall feed conversion ratio.

Sunflower, fish, or a mixture of sunflower and fish oil (5%, wt/wt) [40]

No effect on body weight gain and feed efficiency of the broilers during post-hatch.

Fish oil supplementation to obtain EPA:DHA ratio (1/1, 1/2, 2/1)

[41]

Lower body weight up to 28-day post hatch. Lower daily weight gain and high feed conversion ratio. Did not improve post hatch performance of chicks.