Breeder Hen Influence On Nutrient Availability For The Embryo And Hatchling

Because the majority of the avian embryonic development occurs outside of the hen’s body, the egg when laid must be packaged with all of the essential nutrients of fat, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals required for development during incubation and survival immediately posthatch. The hen deposits these nutrients in the yolk, albumen, and shell of the egg as it is being formed in her reproductive tract. The sources of these nutrients are derived from the feed that the hen is consuming during egg formation and her body reserves. During incubation, the embryo retrieves the nutrients from egg components for development. This review highlights how the female chicken sequesters nourishment from her feed and body and places these nutrients into her egg so that they are available to her offspring during embryogenesis and immediately posthatch. The influence of breeder hen diet on the embryo and the chick posthatch will also be discussed.