Effects of hatching supplement (Hydrated nutritional supplement) with symbiotic usage on performance, nutrient digestibility, immune system and slaughter characteristics in broiler production

In this study, it was investigated the effects of hatching supplement (hydrated nutritional supplement) with symbiotic (HSS) administration in the first 24 or 48 h periods of hatched broiler chicks on performance, nutrient digestibility, immune system, and slaughter characteristics. In the planned study, a total of 64 day old male (32) and female (32) broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used. The chicks were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups (8 males + 8 females / groups). These are as follows. Group 1: no diet and drinking water were given for the first 24 hours, Group 2: chicks were fed only HSS for the first 24 hours, Group 3: no diet and drinking water were given for the first 48 hours and Group 4: chicks were fed only HSS for the first 48 hours. The animals were housed individually except for the first 5 days. Feed and water were presented to the animals as ad-libitum at the end of 24 and 48 hour periods in all groups. At the end of the study, it was found that the HSS administration did not have a significant effect on performance criterias (P>0.05). While carcass, thigh and breast weights and yields did not show significant differences between the experimental groups (P>0.05), statistically significant differences were determined in terms of abdominal fat weight and ratio (P<0.05). Similar abdominal fat weights and ratios were observed in the Group 1 and 2 and Group 3 and 4. However, as fasting time increased, abdominal fat weight and ratio decreased and HSS administration could not prevent this reduction. Organic matter and crude protein digestibilities were significantly different between the experimental groups (P <0.05). In Group 1, digestibility coefficients of organic matter and crude protein increased, significantly. There were significant differences between the groups in terms of serum IgA and IgM values (P <0.05). Serum IgA levels were significantly increased in Groups 1 and 2 compared to Groups 3 and 4. Serum IgM levels were significantly increased in the third group fed HSS in the first 48 hours compared to the other groups. Pancreas, small and large intestines, heart, liver, spleen and bursa Fabricius weights and ratios did not differ significantly between the groups. HSS administration during the first 24 and 48 hours caused significant changes in the proventriculus ratio (P >0.05), but not in the proventriculus weight. The differences between the groups in terms of gizzard weight and ratio were found to be statistically significant (P <0.05). The highest gizzard weight and ratio were determined in the second group consuming HSS for the first 24 hours. Cecum weight decreased in Groups 3 and 4 compared to Groups 1 and 2 (P <0.05). Differences in the ratio of cecum were not statistically significant. The results show that HSS positively affects immune system development.