The perinatal chick makes the metabolic and physiological transition from nutrition supplied in the egg to feed, and it is functionally ‘programmed’ to adapt to its environment. Early feed access to chicks after hatching had significant impact on the growth and development, increases feed utilization efficiency. Alternative to early feed access in ovo feeding is developed, where essential nutrients are directly injected in to developing embryo. Some critical nutrients in the amnion may be limited because of parental nutrition constraints related to weight control and egg production rate. As the productivity of poultry increased, the demand of embryos for nutrients changed. However, the chemical composition of an egg has remained practically unchanged, and therefore, it began providing the embryos with suitable substances with the help of in ovo technology. The primary focus of the current review is to address effect of different nutrients over the hatchability, growth and development of chicks after in ovo feeding.

Keywords: In Ovo-Nutrition; Growth; Feed Efficiency; Hatchability.