Effect of Early Feeding with Synbiotics on Nutrient Digestibility, Carcass Characteristics and Gut Morphology of Broiler Chicken

Authors

  • Minnat M Patel Animal Nutrition Research Station, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Anand-388110, Gujarat, India
  • Safimahmad G Vahora Animal Nutrition Research Station, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Anand-388110, Gujarat, India
  • Rais M Rajpura Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand- 388110, India
  • Jignesh H Vansola Animal Nutrition Research Station, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Anand-388110, Gujarat, India
  • Chintan B Gameti Poultry Research Station, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Anand-388110, Gujarat, India
  • Dharmik M Desai Animal Nutrition Research Station, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Anand-388110, Gujarat, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/ijvsbt.21.3.07

Keywords:

Broilers, Carcass characteristics, Early feeding, Gut morphology, Nutrient digestibility, Synbiotics.

Abstract

This study was aimed to assess the effect of early feeding with synbiotics on nutrient digestibility, carcass characteristics and gut  morphology of broiler chicken. A total of 144 day-old chicks were randomly assigned to four treatment groups, each comprising 9 birds  per replicate, with 4 replicates per group. In Control group, birds received synbiotics (Probiotics + Prebiotics) in water and pre-starter  feed upon arrival at the farm for 24 h. The Negative Control group received water and pre-starter feed without synbiotics. In Transport  group, birds got synbiotics via beak dip at the hatchery and continued with synbiotics at the farm for 24 h. In the Treatment On-farm  group (OF), birds received synbiotics immediately after hatching on the farm for 24 h. Early access to feed and synbiotics added water  resulted in numerically higher retention of dry matter and organic matter in the OF group compared to the Control, Negative Control  and Transport groups. The average daily positive nitrogen balance (g/bird) was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the Negative Control  group compared to the Control, Transport and OF groups. The weight of gizzard, giblet, small intestine and large intestine were found  significantly higher (p<0.05) in the OF group. The villus height of duodenum at the age of 21 and 42 days was significantly higher in early  feeding with synbiotics in OF group. Livability remained statistically similar throughout the experimental period. The result suggests  that early feeding with synbiotics to newly hatched chicks as soon as they hatched on the farm increases the weight of gizzard, giblet  and intestine with better gut health. 

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Published

2025-05-06

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 3 (2025): The Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology (IJVSBT) (May-Jun) 2025

Section

Research Article

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