Effects of Honey Solution Fed in ovo on Growth Performance, Gut Morphology and Enzyme Activities of Turkey Poults

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the effects of in ovo feeding of honey on livability and growth of turkey poults. In a complete randomized design, three hundred viable pre-incubated 24-day eggs were randomly administered in ovo: (1). Un-injected, 1.5 mL each of (2). distilled water, (3). 5% glucose, (4). 1% honey and (5). 5% honey in six replicates of 10 eggs each. After hatching, poults were weighed and transferred into floor pens for four weeks. Hatchability, Livability, Average Daily Feed Intake (g/poult/day), Average Daily Weight Gain (g/poult/day) and Feed Conversion Ratio were calculated. Pancreatic amylase activities (U/L), villus height (µm), crypt depth (µm) and epithelial height (µm) were measured using standard procedures. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. Hatchability reduced from 48.3±10.0% to 18.3± 6.24% as honey concentration increased. Livability was depressed to 69.0±.13.01% and 70.8±12.93% with the administration of honey when compared to the un-injected control. The average daily feed intake (28.18 g/poult) and feed conversion ratio (3.58) for 5% honey group were higher than other group treatments. Pancreatic amylase activities increased to 48400 U/L in 5% honey group compared to the distilled water group (7400 U/L). In ovo feeding of honey reduced hatchability and poult livability.