Effect of Post Hatch Feed Deprivation on Yolk-sac Utilization and Performance of Young Broiler Chickens

S K Bhanja,C Anjali Devi,A K Panda,G Shyam Sunder

doi:10.5713/ajas.2009.80528

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of post-hatch feed deprivation on yolk sac utilization and subsequent performance of young broiler chickens (280) up to 35 days of age. The experimental treatments included access to feed at 8 h intervals after hatch, up to 48 h (0, 8, 16, 24, 32, 40 or 48 h). Water was offered ad libitum to all the groups immediately after placement. Results indicated that chicks with access to feed immediately after hatch used up the residual yolk more quickly. Access to feed between 8-24 h post-hatch, supported faster utilization of residual yolk compared to those chicks that remained unfed for 40-48 h (p 10.5%) of broilers at 5 weeks of age.

Highlights

The modern breeds of broiler chicken have been selected over several years for fast growth, and at present weigh around 2.2 kg at 35-40 days of age
Total lipid and protein yolk was further reduced to 1.50 and 1.38 g, respectively in contents were determined in the residual yolk after 72 h, chicks that accessed feed either immediately or 8 h after placement following the methods of AOAC (1995) and hatch
The results of the present study indicated that the residual yolk was used up by chicks that had access to feed immediately after hatching

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The modern breeds of broiler chicken have been selected over several years for fast growth, and at present weigh around 2.2 kg at 35-40 days of age. The magnitude of growth indicates that each day during the growing period is important to achieve the target growth. In commercial poultry operations, the chicks are held in the hatchery over a 2-day period (21st and 22nd day of incubation) and are taken out of the incubator only when majority of chicks clear the shell. Following the release of chicks from incubator, the preparatory practices like sexing, vaccination and packaging are carried out before the birds are transported to the farms. In practice, the posthatch chickens often spend substantial time in the hatchery without access to feed and water, which causes poor viability and reduction in growth (Madsen et al, 2004)

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RESULTS

10 Duodenum

DISCUSSION