Effect of bovine colostrum feeding period after hatching on performance and carcass characteristics of ross 308 broiler chickens

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of bovine colostrum feeding period after hatching on performance and carcass characteristics of male Ross 308 broiler chickens. The experiment was based on 0, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours of liquid bovine colostrum feeding after hatching of broiler chickens. The experiment commenced with 180 male Ross 308 broiler chicks with an initial live weight of 42 ± 2g per bird and was carried out for six weeks. The chicks were randomly assigned to six treatments with three replications, resulting in 18-floor pens with 10 chicks per replicate. A complete randomized design was used in this experiment. Data was analysed using the General Linear Model (GLM) procedures of the Statistical Analysis of system, Version 9.3.1 software program. Where there were significant differences, mean separation was done using the Turkey test at the 5% level of significance. A quadratic regression model was used to determine the optimum productivity of the experiment while a linear model was used to determine the relationships between bovine colostrum feeding period and responses in the variables measured. Feed intake during Week 1, growth rate during Week 3 and feed conversion ratio (FCR) during Weeks 2 and 3 of the growing period of male Ross 308 broiler chickens were not affected (p>0.05) by bovine colostrum feeding periods after hatching. Similarly, bovine colostrum feeding had no effect (p>0.05) on diet dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and ash digestibilities in male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 14 to 21 days. Bovine colostrum feeding period after hatching had no effect (p>0.05) on nitrogen retention (N-retention) in male broiler chickens aged one to 21 days. Similarly, gut organ digesta pH, length and weight of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 21 days were not improved (p>0.05) by bovine colostrum feeding after hatching. However, bovine colostrum feeding improved (p<0.05) feed intake during Weeks 2 and 3 of the growing period of male Ross 308 broiler chickens. Similarly, bovine colostrum feeding after hatching improved (p<0.05) crude protein (CP) digestibility in male broiler chickens aged 14 to 21 days. Metabolisable energy (ME) intake of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged one to 21 days was improved (p<0.05) by bovine colostrum feeding period after hatching. Similarly, growth rate of male broiler v

chickens during Weeks 1 and 2 was improved (p<0.05) by colostrum feeding after hatching. Feed conversion ratio of male broiler chickens during Week 1 was improved (p<0.05) by bovine colostrum feeding period after hatching. Bovine colostrum feeding after hatching improved (p<0.05) live weight of male Ross 308 broiler chickens at the ages of 7, 14 and 21 days. Nitrogen retention and FCR of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 22 to 42 days were not affected (p>0.05) by bovine colostrum feeding after hatching. In addition, live weights of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 35 and 42 days were not affected (p>0.05) by bovine colostrum feeding period after hatching. Similarly, bovine colostrum feeding had no effect (p>0.05) on gut organ digesta pH, large intestine lengths, breast and drumstick weights and breast meat juiciness of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 42 days. However, bovine colostrum feeding improved (p<0.05) feed intake and growth rate of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 22 to 42 days. Live weights of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 28 days were improved (p<0.05) by bovine colostrum feeding period after hatching. Similarly, bovine colostrum feeding after hatching did not affect (p<0.05) diet DM, CP, NDF, ADF and ash digestibilities in male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 35 to 42 days. Metabolisable energy intake of male broiler chickens aged 22 to 42 days was improved (p<0.05) by bovine colostrum feeding period after hatching. Similarly, GIT, small intestine and caecum lengths and crop, proventriculus, gizzard, small intestine, caecum, large intestine, carcass and thigh weights of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 42 days were improved (p<0.05) by bovine colostrum feeding after hatching. Bovine colostrum feeding after hatching improved (p<0.05) breast meat tenderness, flavour and shear force of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 42 days. It is concluded that reasons for differing responses to bovine colostrum feeding periods of up to 72 hours after hatching are not clear. Therefore, further studies in which longer bovine colostrum feeding periods are used after hatching are recommended.