Minimising weight loss in new broiler hatchlings through early feeding of simple sugars

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to assess the effect of delayed access to feed after hatch and the potential of two carbohydrate oligomers, trehalose and palatinose, as supplements for early feeding of broiler chickens. A total of 360 and 252 straight run broiler chicks were used in Experiments I and 2, respectively, with each involving six treatments and six replicates. The diets were commercial in nature and supplemented with palatinose or trehalose (at 10 or 20 g/kg). Chicks were allowed to access feed within 8h of hatch or 36h. In Experiment 2, the supplements were fed at 10 or 20 g/kg diet; the commercial diets was also fed immediately or delayed. One of the diets contains zinc-bacitracin at 50 ppm and fed within 8 h of hatch. Delayed access to feed and water was found to reduce starting weight at placement whereas early access to feed generally improved it. Supplementation with trchalose, in particular led to higher (P < 0.001) 21-day weights than in the other groups although feed conversion ratio was not improved. The benefits of early feeding was demonstrated and trehalose may have some potential as an early feed supplement but further studies are required into how it can be applied at economic levels to minimise production costs down.