The effects on feed performance and carcass features of chick quality and pre-starter feed application in broiler chicks

The present study was conducted to determine parameters to be used in chicks quality classification after incubation and investigate the effects of pre-starter feeding in the first five days on fattening period lasting 35-40 days for chicks classified low and high quality. Experimental chicks after hatching, were divided according to their gender and then divided into two treatment groups as high quality and low quality. Each treatment group was then divided into 2 feeding -groups, which received control and pre-starter feed (promoting the development of the digestive system during the first 5 days, special feed given a total of 100 gr per chick) thus is created from receiving chick four treatment -groups. In the experiment, total 800 chicken were used, which consisted of 5 replicates of each treatment group and consisted of 40 chicks (20 male, 20 female) of each replicates. Feed and water were given to the chicks as ad libitum. The chicks were subjected to weekly weighing to calculate living weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion rate. The results of the study showed that live weight in the initial experiment is effect by chick quality (P<0.05). However, pre-initiation feeding and chick quality haven't significant effect on live weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion rate and mortality rate according to findings obtained at the end of the experiment (P>0.05). However, the amount and proportion of fat in the abdomen is high in only low quality female chicks (P<0.05).