Influence of Fasting or Early Feeding on Broiler Performance
Abstract: Three experiments were designed to investigate the effect of early feeding on yolk sac absorption and enhance the gastrointestinal tract development in neonatal broiler chicks. Experiment I, was designed to answer the question about the extent of yolk sac absorption and survivability in newly hatched chicks with held feed (for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 days then switch to control diet), but have access to water. Two hundred and eighty unsexed day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were divided equally into 7 treatments of 40 chicks each in four replicates (10 chicks each). Diets were formulated to contain 23% CP and 3200 Kcal ME/kg (Starter) and 20% CP and 3200 Kcal ME/kg (grower). Experiment II, was designed to answer the question about the feed utilization, yolk sac absorption and gastrointestinal tract maturation in newly hatched chicks when fed different treatments (ground yellow com, soybean meal flour, yolk sac, fresh egg yolk, low protein diet and control diet) for two days then switched to control diet A total number of 240 unsexed day old, Arbor Acres broiler chicks was randomly assigned to 6 treatments of 40 chicks each in four replicates (10 chick per replicate). Exp. III, was designed to answer the question about supplementation of some nutrients in water (glucose, amino acid (Meth and Lys), amino vit, vitamins soluble in water, electrolyte and tap water) and effects on yolk sac absorption and gastrointestinal tract maturation in newly hatched chicks. A Total number of 280 unsexed day old, Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 7 treatments of 40 chicks each in four replicates (10 chicks per replicate). Results obtained are as follows: Yolk was rapidly utilized in fed than in fasting chicks at 1st and 2nd days of age. However, the lowest CP% of yolk sac was recorded at 4th day of fasting and better absorption of nutrients from yolk sac after 72h of life was observed in group fasting compared with the group which was fed. Moreover, Starvation over the first 2nd post-hatch period retards growth, reduces ultimate meat yield and weight loss after 5 day starvation resulted in completely death of all chicks. Starvation in the early period (0-7d) significantly (P<0.01) decrease BWG and poor feed conversion (FC) compared to the control group at 3 and 6 weeks of age. Chicks fed control diet (23%CP) for 48 hrs, 7 days, 3 or 6 weeks of age recorded significantly (P<0.01) the highest body weight and body weight gain (Exp II and III). Furthermore, starvation of chickens significantly (P<0.01) reduced weight of liver, heart, proventriculus with gizzard and length of intestine and two cecum at first week of chick's life compared to those with early access to feed. Chicks fed yolk sac or fresh egg yolk for 48hrs recorded the lowest liver weight and length of intestine and two cecum compared with the other experimental treatments (Exp.II) Chicks fed control diet (23% CP) for 48hrs or 7 days recorded significantly (P<0.01) the highest internals organs compared with the other treatments (Exp. III). However, no significant differences in abdominal fat and immune response between different treatments (Exp. I, Exp. II and III). In conclusion, starvation over the first 2-ds post-hatch period retard growth performance and yolk utilization was rapid in fed than in fasting chicks at 1st and 2nd day of age. This study indicates that early feeding complete diet results in considerable performance benefits.
Key words: Early feeding, gastrointestinal tract, yolk utilization
Publication year 2008
Pages 263-271
Availability location معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى- شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى- الجيزة
Availability number
Organization Name
serial title International Journal of Poultry Science
ISSN 1682-8356
Author(s) from ARC
External authors (outside ARC)
    اسامة الحسينى جامعة القاهرة
    حمدى الكومى جامعة القاهرة
Agris Categories Animal feeding
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Broiler chickens. Feed conversion efficiency. Foetus. Gizzard. Heart. Intestines. Liver. Proventriculus. Starvation. Underfeeding.
Proposed Agrovoc yolk utilization;gastrointestinal tract;Early feeding;
Publication Type Journal
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