Register      Login
Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Effects of time of initiation of feeding after hatching and diet composition on performance, carcass characteristics, digestive tract development and immune responses of broilers

Sima Sarlak A , Sayed Ali Tabeidian A C and Abasali Gheisari B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.

B Department of Animal Science, Isfahan Agricultural Research Centre, Isfahan, Iran.

C Corresponding author. Email: tabeidiansa@gmail.com

Animal Production Science 57(8) 1692-1701 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN15839
Submitted: 1 December 2015  Accepted: 21 April 2016   Published: 13 October 2016

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of time of initiation of feeding after hatching and influence of diet composition on growth performance, carcass characteristics, digestive tract development and immune responses of broilers. A total of straight-run 420 Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly allotted to six treatments with five replicates of 14 chicks each. The dietary treatments consisted of feeding a maize-soybean meal diet immediately posthatching until 14 days of age (Control), fasting for 24 or 48 h posthatching, feeding maize for 24–48 h posthatching, and feeding a maize gluten-dextrose pre-starter diet for 5 days posthatching. The study lasted from 0 to 42 days of age. For the entire 42-day period, chicks fasted or fed maize for 48 h posthatching or those fed the maize gluten-dextrose diet for 5 days posthatching had lower (P < 0.05) feed intake and lower (P < 0.05) weight gain compared with the Control. However, birds fasted or those fed maize for 24 or 48 h posthatching had similar (P > 0.05) feed intake and weight gain as the Control. The duodenal villus height and villus height : crypt depth ratio were lower (P < 0.05) and the duodenal crypt depth was higher (P < 0.05) in birds fasted for 48 h posthatching compared with the Control. Conversely, birds fasted for 48 h posthatching had higher (P < 0.05) jejunal villus height and villus height : crypt depth ratio and lower (P < 0.05) jejunal crypt depth compared with the Control. The antibody titres against Newcastle disease was lower (P < 0.05) for the groups other than the Control, whereas the antibody titres against Avian Influenza virus was lower (P < 0.05) in birds fasted for 48 h posthatching and in those fed maize for 48 h posthatching compared with the Control. Also, birds fed maize for 24 h posthatching had lower (P < 0.05) antibody titres against sheep red blood cells compared with the other treatments. These results indicated that feeding a maize-soybean meal starter diet immediately after hatch has a beneficial effect on growth performance and immune response of broilers and improves morphological development of the intestine.

Additional keywords: early feeding, humoral immunity, intestine epithelium, white blood cells.


References

Abed F, Karimi A, Sadeghi G, Shivazad M, Dashti S, Sadeghi-Sefidmazgi A (2011) Do broiler chicks possess enough growth potential to compensate long-term feed and water depravation during the neonatal period? South African Journal of Animal Science 41, 33–39.
Do broiler chicks possess enough growth potential to compensate long-term feed and water depravation during the neonatal period?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXos1Gku78%3D&md5=51b71867b972817bcb2bc57424c95483CAS |

AOAC (1995) ‘Official methods of analysis.’ 16th edn. (Association of Official Analytical Chemists: Arlington, VA)

Batal AB, Parsons CM (2004) Utilization of various carbohydrate sources as affected by age in the chick. Poultry Science 83, 1140–1147.
Utilization of various carbohydrate sources as affected by age in the chick.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXmt1Okt7w%3D&md5=491be4a7962b34c428277f651010f6f5CAS | 15285505PubMed |

Bhanja SK, Anjali Devi C, Panda AK, Shyam Sunder G (2010) Effect of post-hatch nutrient intubation on performance, intestinal growth, meat yield and immune response in broiler chickens. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 23, 515–520.
Effect of post-hatch nutrient intubation on performance, intestinal growth, meat yield and immune response in broiler chickens.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXmvFKlsbo%3D&md5=9f10af865f015799caf5150d915a814cCAS |

Bigot K, Mignon-Grasteau S, Picard M, Tesseraud S (2003) Effects of delayed feed intake on body, intestine, and muscle development in neonate broilers. Poultry Science 82, 781–788.
Effects of delayed feed intake on body, intestine, and muscle development in neonate broilers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3s3jvF2kuw%3D%3D&md5=11f9636fb2f203a73c6ed3fe557ab53cCAS | 12762401PubMed |

Boersma SI, Robinson FE, Renema RA, Fasenko GM (2003) Administering oasis hatching supplement prior to chick placement increases initial growth with no effect on body weight uniformity of female broiler breeders after three weeks of age. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 12, 428–434.
Administering oasis hatching supplement prior to chick placement increases initial growth with no effect on body weight uniformity of female broiler breeders after three weeks of age.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXhtVOhsrw%3D&md5=9470ee0fc3ee5d398b4dc25ff2c2f754CAS |

Corduk M, Sarica S, Yarim GF (2013) Effects of oregano or red pepper essential oil supplementation to diets for broiler chicks with delayed feeding after hatching. 1. Performance and microbial population. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 22, 738–749.
Effects of oregano or red pepper essential oil supplementation to diets for broiler chicks with delayed feeding after hatching. 1. Performance and microbial population.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhvFensL7N&md5=9916de7b4f87d4131517b97e50c8c721CAS |

Donaldson WE, Christensen VL (1991) Dietary carbohydrate level and glucose metabolism in turkey poults. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Physiology 98, 347–350.
Dietary carbohydrate level and glucose metabolism in turkey poults.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK3M3itlynsQ%3D%3D&md5=5078e03d2e5b608ba0ad7d65def835deCAS |

El Rammouz R, Said S, Abboud M, Yammine S, Jammal B (2011) Effect of post-hatch early feeding times starter supplemented with egg yolk and white of boiled chicken eggs (Rhode Island Red) on growth performance, viscera development, and immune response in broiler chickens. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences 5, 660–671.

Fisinin VI, Surai PF (2013) Gut immunity in birds: facts and reflections. Sel’skokhozyaistvennaya Biologiya 4, 3–25.
Gut immunity in birds: facts and reflections.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Gonzales E, Kondo N, Saldanha ES, Loddy MM, Careghi C, Decuypere E (2003) Performance and physiological parameters of broiler chickens subjected to fasting on the neonatal period. Poultry Science 82, 1250–1256.
Performance and physiological parameters of broiler chickens subjected to fasting on the neonatal period.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3svgsVKgsw%3D%3D&md5=88f4bffaa8c23e802a13d3e6eb2e7a9bCAS | 12943295PubMed |

Gonzalez D, Mustacich DJ, Traber MG, Cherian G (2011) Early feeding and dietary lipids affect broiler tissue fatty acids, vitamin E status, and cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression upon lipopolysaccharide challenge. Poultry Science 90, 2790–2800.
Early feeding and dietary lipids affect broiler tissue fatty acids, vitamin E status, and cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression upon lipopolysaccharide challenge.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38Xjs1Kjtw%3D%3D&md5=b8a92a7e5ec46e2ce95ec45dddae5699CAS | 22080018PubMed |

Gross WB, Siegel HS (1983) Evaluation of the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio as a measure of stress in chickens. Avian Diseases 27, 972–979.
Evaluation of the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio as a measure of stress in chickens.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaL2c%2FnvFGhsA%3D%3D&md5=c980ace9efa6e7336c8194c6698f455dCAS | 6360120PubMed |

Halevy O, Geyra A, Barak M, Uni Z, Sklan D (2000) Early posthatch starvation decreases satellite cell proliferation and skeletal muscle growth in chicks. The Journal of Nutrition 130, 858–864.

Harper AE, Rogers QR (1965) Amino acid imbalance. The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 24, 173–190.
Amino acid imbalance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaF28XlvFSn&md5=3abab338d2fe235b69ecd34d71cb6eddCAS | 5319199PubMed |

Kabir SML, Rahman MM, Rahman MB, Rahman MM, Ahmed SU (2004) The dynamics of probiotics on growth performance and immune response in broilers. International Journal of Poultry Science 3, 361–364.
The dynamics of probiotics on growth performance and immune response in broilers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

King DJ, Hopkins SR (1983) Evaluation of the hemagglutination-inhibition test for measuring the response of chickens to avian infectious bronchitis virus vaccination. Avian Diseases 27, 100–112.
Evaluation of the hemagglutination-inhibition test for measuring the response of chickens to avian infectious bronchitis virus vaccination.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaL3s3gtlylsA%3D%3D&md5=4b48ca424aa29f8956078a2032c3facaCAS | 6189476PubMed |

Konashi S, Takahashi K, Akiba Y (2000) Effects of dietary essential amino acid deficiencies on immunological variables in broiler chickens. British Journal of Nutrition 83, 449–456.

Li G, Lillehoj HS, Lee KW, Lee SH, Park MS, Jang SI, Bauchan GR, Gay CG, Ritter GD, Bautista DA, Siragusa GR (2010) Immunopathology and cytokine responses in commercial broiler chickens with gangrenous dermatitis. Avian Pathology 39, 255–264.
Immunopathology and cytokine responses in commercial broiler chickens with gangrenous dermatitis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20706881PubMed |

Longo FA, Menten JFM, Sorbara JOB, Pedroso AA, Figueiredo AN, Racanicci AMC, Gaiotto JB (2003) Effects of different protein sources in the feed of newly hatched chicks on broiler performance. Poultry Science 82, 67

Longo FA, Menten JFM, Pedroso AA, Figueiredo AN, Racanicci AMC, Gaiotto JB, Sorbara JOB (2005) Carbohydrates in the diets of newly hatched chicks. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia 34, 123–133.
Carbohydrates in the diets of newly hatched chicks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Maiorka A, Santin E, Dahlke F, Boleli IC, Furlan RL, Macari M (2003) Posthatching water and feed deprivation affect the gastrointestinal tract and intestinal mucosa development of broiler chicks. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 12, 483–492.
Posthatching water and feed deprivation affect the gastrointestinal tract and intestinal mucosa development of broiler chicks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Makram A, Galal A, Fathi MM, El-Attar AH (2010) Carcass characteristics and immunocompetence parameters of four commercial broiler strain chickens under summer season of Egypt. International Journal of Poultry Science 9, 171–176.
Carcass characteristics and immunocompetence parameters of four commercial broiler strain chickens under summer season of Egypt.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

March BE, Biely J (1972) The effect of energy supplied from the diet and from environment heat on the response of chicks to different levels of dietary lysine. Poultry Science 51, 665–668.
The effect of energy supplied from the diet and from environment heat on the response of chicks to different levels of dietary lysine.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE38Xks1Sntbk%3D&md5=b574e7f786ceb377a477efafc82706e4CAS | 4643136PubMed |

Maxwell MH, Hocking PM, Robertson GW (1992) Differential leucocyte responses to various degrees of food restriction in broilers, turkeys and ducks. British Poultry Science 33, 177–187.
Differential leucocyte responses to various degrees of food restriction in broilers, turkeys and ducks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK383ktVCiuw%3D%3D&md5=ba3fc39d3b452f84660848bc2e2cd228CAS | 1571802PubMed |

Mikec M, Biđin Z, Valentić A, Savić V, Amšel Zelenika T, Raguž-Đurić R, Lukae Novak I, Baleńovic M (2006) Influence of environmental and nutritional stressors on yolk sac utilization, development of chicken gastrointestinal system and its immune status. World’s Poultry Science Journal 62, 31–40.
Influence of environmental and nutritional stressors on yolk sac utilization, development of chicken gastrointestinal system and its immune status.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Moore S (1963) On the determination of cystine as cysteic acid. The Journal of Biological Chemistry 238, 235–237.

National Research Council (1994) ‘Nutrient requirements of poultry.’ (National Academy Press: Washington, DC)

Noy Y, Sklan D (2001) Yolk and exogenous feed utilization in the posthatch chick. Poultry Science 80, 1490–1495.
Yolk and exogenous feed utilization in the posthatch chick.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXnvVCgsrs%3D&md5=de4e67e15231b551dfd3225bd5134b5dCAS | 11599709PubMed |

Noy Y, Uni Z (2010) Early nutritional strategies. World’s Poultry Science Journal 66, 639–646.
Early nutritional strategies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Noy Y, Geyra A, Sklan D (2001) The effect of early feeding on growth and small intestinal development in the posthatch poult. Poultry Science 80, 912–919.
The effect of early feeding on growth and small intestinal development in the posthatch poult.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXovFKksro%3D&md5=504a14708a8cd69da24974bccf44421aCAS | 11469654PubMed |

Peng Y, Tews JK, Harper AE (1972) Amino acid imbalance protein intake, and changes in rat brain and plasma amino acids. The American Journal of Physiology 223, 314–321.

Post J, Rebel JM, Ter Huurne AA (2003) Physiological effects of elevated plasma corticosterone concentrations in broiler chickens. An alternative means by which to assess the physiological effects of stress. Poultry Science 82, 1313–1318.
Physiological effects of elevated plasma corticosterone concentrations in broiler chickens. An alternative means by which to assess the physiological effects of stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXnt1Srs7w%3D&md5=a616cc5b394a5f343553891057539b7bCAS | 12943303PubMed |

Pretorius C (2011) The effect of highly digestible carbohydrate and protein sources included in pre-starter diets of broilers on their performance. PhD Thesis, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Ross (2007) ‘Broiler nutrition specification.’ (Aviagen: Midlothian, UK)

Rutz F, Xavier EG, Anciuti MA, Roll VFB, Rossi P (2007) The role of nucleotides in improving broiler prestarter diets: the Brazilian experience. In ‘Proceedings of Alltech’s 23rd annual symposium: nutritional biotechnology in the feed and food industries’. (Eds TP Lyons, KA Jacques, JM Hower) pp. 175–181. (Nottingham University Press: Nottingham, UK)

Sarıca Ş, Suiçmez M, Çördük M, Özdemir D, Berberoglu E (2014) Effects of oregano essential oil supplementation to diets of broiler chicks with delayed feeding after hatching. Morphological development of small intestine segments. Italian Journal of Animal Science 13, 284–289.
Effects of oregano essential oil supplementation to diets of broiler chicks with delayed feeding after hatching. Morphological development of small intestine segments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

SAS Institute (2003) ‘User’s guide. Release 9.1.’ (SAS Institute: Cary, NC)

Soleimani AF, Zulkifli I, Omar AR, Raha AR (2011) Neonatal feed restriction modulates circulating levels of corticosterone and expression of glucocorticoid receptor and heat shock protein 70 in aged Japanese quail exposed to acute heat stress. Poultry Science 90, 1427–1434.
Neonatal feed restriction modulates circulating levels of corticosterone and expression of glucocorticoid receptor and heat shock protein 70 in aged Japanese quail exposed to acute heat stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXpsVGrsLY%3D&md5=239322698a0a6795ce699c50ddef7bdfCAS | 21673157PubMed |

Swatson HK, Gous R, Iji PA, Zarrinkalam R (2002) Effect of dietary protein level, amino acid balance and feeding level on growth, gastrointestinal tract, and mucosal structure of the small intestine in broiler chickens. Animal Research 51, 501–515.
Effect of dietary protein level, amino acid balance and feeding level on growth, gastrointestinal tract, and mucosal structure of the small intestine in broiler chickens.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXit1Kjsb0%3D&md5=6f0b4129e98c2406eed26555d1f1a974CAS |

Tabedian SA, Samie A, Pourreza J, Sadeghi G (2010) Effect of fasting or post-hatch diet’s type on chick development. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances 9, 406–413.
Effect of fasting or post-hatch diet’s type on chick development.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XjvValsr4%3D&md5=af23ffb5347bf93040a116309aa92b54CAS |

Uni Z, Ferket RP (2004) Methods for early nutrition and their potential. World’s Poultry Science Journal 60, 101–111.
Methods for early nutrition and their potential.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Uni Z, Noy Y, Sklan D (1995) Posthatch changes in morphology and function of the small intestines in heavy-and light-strain chicks. Poultry Science 74, 1622–1629.
Posthatch changes in morphology and function of the small intestines in heavy-and light-strain chicks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXpvF2jsrg%3D&md5=2fefde80f33171a7ce6fb87738598d0dCAS | 8559726PubMed |

Uni Z, Platin R, Sklan D (1998) Cell proliferation in chicken intestinal epithelium occurs both in the crypt and along the villus. Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology 168, 241–247.
Cell proliferation in chicken intestinal epithelium occurs both in the crypt and along the villus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK1czhtVClug%3D%3D&md5=259c3070d4ffdd90f5594a6c47443ac0CAS | 9646500PubMed |

Uni Z, Noy Y, Sklan D (1999) Posthatch development of small intestinal function in the poult. Poultry Science 78, 215–222.
Posthatch development of small intestinal function in the poult.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK1M7lvVehsw%3D%3D&md5=1be971ca142d5f9300d9053f689c16b6CAS | 10051034PubMed |

van den Brand H, Molenaar R, van der Star I, Meijerhof R (2010) Early feeding affects resistance against cold exposure in young broiler chickens. Poultry Science 89, 716–720.
Early feeding affects resistance against cold exposure in young broiler chickens.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXkvFGht78%3D&md5=2361a56e0c60d6b300803e99974e50baCAS | 20308403PubMed |

Vieira SL, Moran ET (1999a) Effects of egg of origin and chick post-hatch nutrition on broiler live performance and meat yields. World’s Poultry Science Journal 55, 125–142.
Effects of egg of origin and chick post-hatch nutrition on broiler live performance and meat yields.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Vieira SL, Moran ET (1999b) Starter vs. corn and supplemental calcium propionate in initial broiler feeding. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 8, 255–262.
Starter vs. corn and supplemental calcium propionate in initial broiler feeding.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wegmann TG, Smithies O (1966) A simple hemagglutination system requiring small amounts of red cells and antibodies. Transfusion 6, 67–73.
A simple hemagglutination system requiring small amounts of red cells and antibodies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Yang H, Wang Z, Shi S, Lu J, Li W (2009) Effects of starter feeding time on body growth and viscera development of newly hatched chicks. Italian Journal of Animal Science 8, 585–593.
Effects of starter feeding time on body growth and viscera development of newly hatched chicks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Yegani M, Korver DR (2008) Factors affecting intestinal health in poultry. Poultry Science 87, 2052–2063.
Factors affecting intestinal health in poultry.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD1cnitVKhtg%3D%3D&md5=1097e8c8d629244e91cf548d49939becCAS | 18809868PubMed |

Yin YL, Huang RL, Zhong HY, Li TJ, Souffrant WB, de Lange CFM (2002) Evaluation of mobile nylon bag technique for determining apparent ileal digestibilities of protein and amino acids in growing pigs. Journal of Animal Science 80, 409–420.