This investment will explore in ovo interventions and early post hatch feeding strategies to increase post hatching performance and robustness in chickens. Interventions include the development of an in ovo test for assessing the impact of Essential Oils (EOs) and selection of EOs for testing based on antimicrobial properties, antioxidant effects and appetite/digestion enhancement. EOs to be trialled include Australian native plant oils. Post hatching diets will be formulated to promote early feed intake and gut development.