Effect of post-hatch feeding on growth of digestive tract and performance of broilers

ABSTRACT

Effect of early- feeding of broiler chicks immediately after hatch with gel or granule, on performance, the relative weight of yolk sac, liver, proventricolus, gizzard and the relative weight of weight and length of small intestine were investigated. Analyzing the data by using SAS statistical program including complete randomly design and Duncan test, showed that post hatch feeding of gel, could increase body weight in comparison to control group [p Feed intake and feed conversation ratio did not show any significant differences between groups [p > 0.05]. The relative weight of liver and gizzard in early feeding groups increased in comparison to control group [p feeding could increase relative length of small intestine[p growth of digestive tract of broiler chicks that received post hatch feeding was more than control. Also, comparison of different methods of early feeding showed that high humidity of gel caused more benefits on performance of broilers