Australian researchers are exploring the use of essential oils to help protect chicken embryos and hatchlings against disease.
“During development, the embryo uses the nutrients in the egg to convert egg into flesh and bone,” explained professor Eugeni Roura from the University of Queensland’s Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation.
“What we’re trying to do is supplement that egg with compounds and nutrients that will help improve the embryonic development.”
Broilers are most susceptible to environmental pathogens immediately after hatching, when the chick gut has not yet fully developed.
The poultry industry is moving away from the use of antibiotics and other treatments, “therefore, plan B is to boost nature,” Roura said. “Can we help the chickens naturally through the use of natural compounds that will protect them?”
Essential oils, like tea tree oil, lemon myrtle and eucalyptus, have strong antioxidant and pathogen-fighting properties. They can also stimulate appetite and digestion, which can aid early growth and development.
Vertical transmission vs. in ovo
The research team, which includes project leaders Dr. Marta Navarro and Dr. Shahram Niknafs, is currently testing the effects of essential oils when introduced into the diets of breeder chickens. If the benefits of the essential oils transfer to the egg, it could have a positive impact on the embryos’ health and robustness.
The researchers are also experimenting with the injection of essential oils and nutrients into fertile eggs with in ovo injection technology.
In both scenarios, multiple parameters and indicators of gut health, including microbiome composition, growth, overall embryo development and the stage of development following fertilization, will be measured.
“Essential oils have quite unique compositions and chemical properties,” Roura added. “We're going to have to find that window of injecting which is relatively late in the embryonic development, but not too late.”
AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program is funding the project, which is also supported by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Like what you just read? Sign up now for free to receive the Poultry Future Newsletter.
