Effect of in ovo and post hatch oral supplementation of copper and zinc nanoparticles on growth and immune response in broilers

In ovo supplementation of nutrients is emerging as an innovative technique used to enhance the productivity of broiler chicken. In ovo inoculation with mineral nanoparticles help in exploring the potentials of nanotechnology in embryonic nutrition. This study has been conducted to investigate the effect of in ovo supplementation of copper nanoparticles (CuNP) and zinc nanoparticles (ZnNP) on the growth and immune response of broiler chicken. Six hundred eggs were incubated. At 18 days of incubation the eggs were candled and the fertile eggs allotted into seven treatment groups with 80 eggs each. The control group (T1) was in ovo inoculated with normal saline. The treatment groups T2, T3 and T4 were supplemented CuNP in ovo (12μg/egg), orally post hatch and in combination (in ovo + oral) respectively. The treatment groups T5, T6 and T7 were supplemented with ZnNP (80 μg/egg) in ovo, orally post hatch and in combination. The results of weekly body weight and bodyweight gain up to six weeks of age showed that in ovo supplementation of copper and zinc nanoparticles did not influence growth significantly. The feed consumption and FCR did not differ significantly between treatment groups. The humoral and cell mediated immunity immunity were non-significant in the copper and zinc nanoparticles supplemented groups. Thus, the in ovo and dietary supplementation of copper and zinc nanoparticles has similar effects on growth and immune response of broiler chicken. Keywords: Broiler, growth, immune response, in ovo nutrition, copper, zinc, nanoparticles