Effect of early post-hatch feeding with synbiotics on immunity of broilers

Abstract

Early feeding is vital for the rapid growth and immune system development of newly hatched chicks, greatly enhancing their resistance to diseases. A total of 144 day-old chicks were randomly divided into four treatment groups, each consisting of 9 birds per replicate, with 4 replicates per group. The Control group received synbiotics in water and pre-starter feed for 24 hours upon arrival at the farm. The Negative Control group was given water and pre-starter feed without synbiotics. In the Treatment Transport group, birds received synbiotics via beak dip at the hatchery and continued with synbiotics at the farm for 24 hours. The Treatment On-farm group (OF) provided birds with pre-starter feed and water containing synbiotics immediately after hatching on the farm for 24 hours. The mean log2 values of HI antibody titer and the mean percentages of heterophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils showed no significant statistical differences in blood samples collected on the 7th, 21st, and 42nd days across the Control, Negative Control, Transport, and OF treatment groups. On the 42nd day of biochemical investigation, the mean albumin (g/dL) and the albumin-to-globulin ratio were significantly lower (p