Vitamins & Minerals

Dietary Supplement of Vitamin E Enhanced Fertility and Hatchability of Arbor Acres Eggs in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Ayodeji A. Adeyemi, Aderonke Olufunmilola Mosuro, Funmilayo Grace Adebiyi, Sabur O. Oladimeji, Samuel C. Etop, Bukola Christiana Majekodunmi, Babatunde F. Adebayo, Ibikunle Funso Olaleru, Sherifat Omowunmi Olufeko, Folasade O. Jemiseye, Ridwan B. Salahudeen and Olugbenga Adeniran Ogunwole*

Broiler breeder stocks are characterised by low egg fertility and hatchability which could be mitigated by dietary Vitamin E (VE) supplements. The optimum vitamin E requirements for efficient production by Arbor Acres plus broiler breeder hens in Ibadan were investigated in this study. Arbor Acres plus broiler breeder hens (n=180) weighing 3.85 ± 0.49 kg, aged 30 weeks were randomly allotted to diets supplemented with synthetic VE at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 IU/kg for eight weeks in a completely randomised design. Hatchability of 86.4 ± 1.9% in hens fed diets supplemented with 100IU was significantly lower (p<0.05) than in those on 0 (93.3 ± 1.8%), 20 (92.9 ± 2.0%), 40 (96.9+1.5%), 60 (93.2 ± 0.9%) and 80 IU (91.2 ± 1.7%). Weight of 42.9 ± 1.3 g in chicks on 40 IU was significantly higher (p<0.05) than 36.9 ± 1.5 g (0IU), 40.2 ± 1.3g (20IU), 39.1 ± 1.2 g (60IU), 40.0 ± 0.6 g (80IU) and 39.3 ± 0.6 g (100IU). The relationships between VE inclusions and hatchability (R2=0.63); and chick weights (R²=0.56) were quadratic and cubic, respectively. Optimal egg hatchability of 94.8% and chicks’ weight of 41 g were achieved with diets supplemented with 37 IU/kg and 24 IU/kg supplemental VE inclusions, respectively. Thus, the dietary supplement of vitamin E enhanced the fertility and hatchability of Arbor Acres plus breeder broiler hens in Ibadan, Nigeria.