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

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<0.05). Further, deprivation of feed up to 24 h did not alter the lipid and protein contents in residual yolk, but fasting of chicks beyond 24 h (32, 40 and 48 h) led to retention of higher lipid and lower protein content in the yolk sac (p<0.05). At 7 days of age, the weights of proventiculus and gizzard were not affected by feed deprivation up to 48 h. However, the liver, pancreas and jejunum recorded significantly (p<0.05) heavier weights in chicks that were fed during the initial 24 h period compared to delayed feeding (32-48 h). Chicks fed within 24 h after hatch gained significantly (p<0.05) higher weight at 5 weeks of age than those that received feed between 32 and 48 h. Feed deprivation for 48 h was more detrimental to growth than 24-40 h. This study revealed the significance of early posthatch feeding (<24 h) on faster utilization of yolk sac nutrients and optimum development of intestines and organs, culminating in improved weight gain (>10.5%) of broilers at 5 weeks of age.

Early life experiences affect the adaptive capacity of rearing hens during infectious challenges

“…GALT) is stimulated. Besides the effect of early feed intake on GALT development, some studies showed that early feed intake stimulates the utilization of the yolk (Noy et al, 1996;Bhanja et al, 2009). The yolk is the major source of maternal antibodies for the chick and if the utilization of the yolk is stimulated it can result in better protection against infectious agents in the first few weeks after hatch (Larsson et al, 1993).…”

Delayed post-hatch feeding affects the performance and immunocompetence differently in male and female broiler chickens

“…Therefore, it is expected that yolk nutrients would be utilized more quickly by the fasted than the fed chicks, allowing young chicks to maintain their physiological functions. On the contrary, yolk utilization was more rapid in the fed chicks than the fasted chicks, suggesting that yolk transfer is facilitated by the intestinal motility of fed chicks (Bhanja et al 2009). …”

“…Data on the chemical composition of residual yolk sac (data not presented) revealed a higher lipid and ash, but lower protein content in the residual yolk sac of 24 and 36 h FD chicks as compared to the control chicks. This suggested that protein (not fat) could be a limiting nutrient for the newly hatched chicks (Noy and Sklan 2001;Bhanja et al 2009). The residual yolk contributes to the maintenance of young birds during the first few days after hatching (Anthony et al 1989).…”

“…An earlier study indicated that chicks fed immediately after hatch gained 10.5% more weight than those FD after 48 h (Bhanja et al 2009). Previously in egg-type chickens, we had also found about 12.45 BW reductions in 36 h FD birds at 42 d PH (Shinde et al 2015).…”

Effect of Hatching Time on Yolk Sac Percentage and Broiler Live Performance

“…The absorption of nutrients from the yolk sac has been reported to be essential to promote subsequent growth (Murakami et al, 1992;Bigot et al, 2001) and early hatching chicks may have had an advantageous developmental and growth pattern (Lamot et al, 2014) due to earlier absorption of the yolk that has typically represented approximately 10% of total BW at initial hatching (Sklan et al, 2000;Wolanski et al, 2006). Early utilization of the yolk could have produced a metabolically more mature chick that was ready to consume feed and concurrently utilize the remaining residual yolk sac materials (Chamblee et al, 1992;Noy & Sklan, 1998b;Halevy et al, 2003;Tona et al, 2003;Yang et al, 2008;Careghi et al, 2005;Bhanja et al, 2009;Shinde et al, 2015). …”