Effect of dietary supplementation and in ovo feeding of menthol on the growth performance, development of lymphoid and digestive organs and carcass quality traits of broilers

Bondar, B.B., Shukla, P.K., Bhattacharyya, A., Kherde, A.R., Patel, M., Gulhane, P.S. and Sharma, M. 2024. Effect of dietary supplementation and in ovo feeding of menthol on the growth performance, development of lymphoid and digestive organs and carcass quality traits of broilers. Indian Journal of Poultry Science, 59(3): 281–290. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of in ovo feeding and dietary supplementation of menthol on the growth performance, digestive and lymphoid organs, and carcass yield of broiler chickens. Fertile eggs (n = 372) of CARIBRO VISHAL birds were set for incubation. On the 18th day, in ovo feeding was done at the broad end of the egg. The eggs were divided into three groups: un-injected control, sham control (injected with 0.5 ml of 5% ethanol), and in ovo injected with menthol (0.5 ml of 1% menthol solution). After hatching, 180 one-day-old chicks were reared for feeding trial. Chicks from these three groups were further divided into two subgroups, each with three replicates and ten chicks per replicate. One subgroup received a basal diet, while the other received a basal diet with menthol supplementation (250 mg/kg diet). Day old body weight of in ovo menthol group birds was significantly higher (P=0.01) compared to un-injected control. Day old and 1st week body weight of basal diet along with menthol supplementation group birds were significantly higher (P=0.04, P=0.003) than basal diet. No significant differences were recorded in digestive and lymphoid organs, carcass quality traits, yield of giblets and cut-up-parts after in ovo feeding and/or dietary supplementation of menthol. Thus, in ovo feeding of 1% menthol as well as dietary supplementation of menthol @ 250 mg/ kg diet resulted in significant positive effects on early body weight.