Effects of Pre-Starter Feeds Prepared Using Different Sugar Sources on Performance, Carcass Parameters, Internal Organ Development, Intestinal Development and Microbial Load in Broilers

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to determine the effects of pre-starter feed prepared using different sugar sources on the performance, carcass parameters, internal organs and intestinal development, microbial load in broilers. In total, 360 newly hatched chicks divided into 4 treatment groups with 5 replicates. 18 chicks with similar live weights (9 male, 9 female) were used for each replicate. Control or pre-starter feeds (containing %14 saccharose, %14 dextrose, or %7 saccharose+ %7 dextrose) were used for the feeding of the groups. For the feeding of the control group, standard chick starter feed was used for the first 5 days; for the treatment groups, the pre-starter feeds prepared were used. For the rest of the trial period, all groups were subjected to standard feeding. A significant difference was observed among groups with regards to live weight gain and feed conversion rate during the first four weeks of the study; however, this effect disappeared over the last week. In addition, it was determined that any differences observed with regards to carcass parameters other than hot and cold carcass weights, internal organ development aside from proventriculus, intestinal development and microbial load were not significant. It was concluded that the pre-starter feed prepared with saccharose and/or dextrose did not show the expected effect