Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 M.Sc. Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran

3 Assistant professor, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran

Abstract

Effects of post-hatch fasting (PHF) and subcutaneous injection of Ca-gluconate (Ca-g) on productive performance, immune response and mortality of broiler chicks were investigated using 640 one-day-old Ross 308 chicks in a 5×2 factorial experiment with five PHF levels (zero, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h) and two Ca-g injection levels (zero and 0.7 ml) in a completely randomized block design in four replicate pens of 16 birds each up to day 28 of age. The extended PFD up to 36 h significantly decreased body weight and percentage of monocytes and increased mortality of the chicks. Injection of Ca-g increased mortality of the birds by six-fold compared with the control birds (P<0.05). The Ca-g injected birds showed greater antibody titer against Newcastle virus at day 15 of age. The mortality rate of the chicks was significantly affected by PHF×Ca-g interaction and the Ca-g injected birds showed greater mortality percent during all PHF periods. It was concluded that PHF greater than 24 h has adverse effect on productive performance and mortality in broiler chicks at day 28 of age. Administration of Ca-g into the neonate fasted chicks as a source of Ca, glucose and water increased mortality but maintained the yolk immunoglobulins and improved early immune response through day 15 of age.

Keywords

1 . Bigot K, Mignon-Grasteau S, Picard M and Tesseraud S (2003) Effect of delayed feed intake on body, intestine and muscle development in neonate broilers. Poultry Science.82: 781-788.
2 . Bigot K, Tesseraud S, Taouis M and Picard M (2001) Alimentation néonatale et développement précocedu poulet de chair. INRA Production Animal.14(4): 219-230.
3 . Dacke GC (2000) In: Whittow GC (Eds) Sturkie’s Avian Physiology, London, Academic Press. 5: 472-485.
4 . Dibner JJ, Knight CD, Kitchell ML, Atwell CA, Downs AC and Ivey FJ (1998) Effect of early feeding on immune development system in neonatal poultry. Poultry Science. 7: 425-436.
5 . Ferket SG and Kellems RO (2007) Interrelationship of feeding with immunity and parasitic infections. A review. Veterinary Medicine.52: 131-143.
6 . Gonzales E, Kondo N, Saladanha ESP, Loddy MM, Careghi C and Decuyperet E (2003) Performance and physiological parameters of broiler chickens subjected to fasting on the neonatal period. Poultry Science.82: 1250-1256.
7 . Gross WB, Siegel PB and Dubosse RJ (1980) Some effects of feeding corticosterone to chickens. Poultry Science.59: 516-519.
8 . Khosravinia H (2010) Effects of road transportation stress on newly hatched broiler chicks. Proceeding of the 2nd International Conference on Veterinary Poultry. Tehran, Iran. P. 153.
9 . Madsen JH, Su RG and Sorensen P (2004) Influence of early or late start of first feeding on growth and immune phenotype of broilers. Poultry Science.45: 210-222.
10 . Moran ET (1988) Subcutaneous glucose is more advantageous in establishing the post-hatch poults than oral administration. Poultry Science.67: 493-501.
11 . Noy Y and Sklan D (1998) Metabolic responses to early nutrition. Poultry Science7: 437-451.
12 . Noy Y and Sklan D (1999) Different types of early feeding and performance in chicks and poults. Applied Poultry Research.8: 16-24.
13 . Panda AK, Raju MVLN, Rama Rao SV, Shyam Sunder G and Reddy MR (2010) Effect of post-hatch feed deprivation on growth, immune organ development and immune competence in broiler chickens. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology. 10 (1): 9-17.
14 . Rahimi S, Tasharrofi S and Kiaei MM (2007) Effect of post-hatch feeding on growth of digestive tract and performance of broilers. Veterinary Research.62: 291-296.
15 . Rammous ELR, Said S, Abboud M, Yammine S and Jammal B (2011) Effect of post-hatch early feeding times starter supplemented with egg yolk and white of boiled chicken eggs (Rhod Island Red) on growth performance, viscera development, and immune response in broiler chickens. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Science.5(6): 660-671.
16 . SAS Institute (2003) SAS/STAT® Guide for personal computers. Version 9.2 Edition. SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC.
17 . Shivazad M, Bejaei M, Taherkhani R, Zaghari M and Kiaei MM (2007) Effects of glucose injection and feeding Oasis on broiler chick's subsequent performance. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences.10(11): 1860-1864.
18 . Sklan D (2000) Development of the digestive tract of poultry. World Poultry Science.57: 415-428.
19 . Sklan D, Noy Y, Hoyzman A and Rozenboim I (2000) Decreasing weight loss in the hatchery by feeding chicks and poults in hatching trays. Applied Poultry Research.9: 142-148.
20 . Speake BK, Noble R and Murray A (1998) The utilization of yolk lipids by the chick embryo. World's Poultry Science.54: 319-334.
21 . Tako E, Ferket PR and Uni Z )2004( Effects of in ovo feeding of carbohydrates and beta-hydroxy-beta-methyl butyrate on the development of chicken intestine. Poultry Science. 83: 2023-2028.
22 . Wegmann TG and Smithies O (1966) A simple hemagglutination system requiring small amounts of red blood cells and antibodies. Transfer. 6: 67-73.