Abstract
ABSTRACT This study was designed to determine adequate levels for sodium butyrate inclusion in pre-hatching and pre-starter feed in order to minimize the negative effects of post-hatch delayed placement on broiler chicks. Newly-hatched chicks were allotted in a completely randomized design, with five treatments, each comprising five replicates of ten birds each. Five dietetic levels of sodium butyrate (control, 0.050, 0.075, 0.100 and 0.200%) were used in the pre-starter feed offered to the chicks in the transporting box and during the pre-starter phase. Performance, yolk sac retraction, plasma glucose concentration, weight and histomorphometry of the small intestine were evaluated after 24 hours of feed access and at 7 days of age. A metabolic trial was performed when the chicks were seven to ten days of age. Supplementation of 0.1% sodium butyrate increased the development of broiler chicks’ intestinal villi at seven days of age but was not able to improve performance in the pre-starter phase. Supplementation with sodium butyrate in a diet offered in the transportation box does not improve broiler performance in the pre-starter phase. Supplementation of up to 0.16% is recommended, in order to improve the metabolizability of the ether extract for broilers at seven days of age.
Highlights
The post-hatch period is a critical time for broiler chicks
Performance, yolk sac retraction, plasma glucose concentration, weight and histomorphometry of the small intestine were evaluated after 24 hours of feed access and at 7 days of age
Supplementation with sodium butyrate in a diet offered in the transportation box does not improve broiler performance in the pre-starter phase
Summary
The post-hatch period is a critical time for broiler chicks. It allows adaptation of the chick to the environment outside the egg and, especially, improves feed digestion and absorption for nutrients coming from exogenous sources. Because of standard incubator procedures, chicks do not have access to feed for a period of approximately 48 hours, from their hatching until their placement. This could mean that they do not have access to feed for two or three days (Bhuiyan et al, 2011). The reserves contained in the yolk sac are the first sources of nutrients used by the fasting chick. The reserves present in the yolk sac are quickly consumed during the first 48 hours after hatching, which is why some research shows that chicks are able to recover when fasting is not as long and their performance is not impaired (Carvalho et al, 2013). Delayed intake of feed can hinder their physiological and immunological development, reducing the overall productivity of chickrearing (Van Den Brand et al, 2010)
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