Stress levels, mortality, intestinal morphometry and histomorphology of chabro broiler birds subjected to varying degrees of post hatch delay in feeding

Abstract

Background and objective: Kashmir is a part of Jammu and Kashmir State of India where a large chunk of day old chicks are procured from outside the state and these chicks are transported across a distance of hundreds of kilometers over a period of several days. The long distance transport without any access to feed not only subjects the birds to early life stress but also affects their gut morphological development. Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate the effect of delayed feeding on stress levels, mortality, intestinal morphometry and histomorphology of chabro broiler chicken. Materials and Methods: A total of 400 day old chabro chicks were randomly divided into 5 groups, each group comprising of four replicates of 20 birds. Chicks allotted to group-1 (G,) were offered feed at hatchery itself whereas feeding in groups G2, G3, G4 and G5 were initiated at the farm after the delay of 12, 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. Results: The results revealed that the heterophil count showed a steady increase from G,-G5 and significantly (p<0.05) higher count was found in G3, G4 and G5 compared to G,. However, the lymphocyte count showed a steady decrease as delay in feeding increased. H:L ratio followed a regular increase from G,-G5 and was significantly (p<0.05) higher in G3, G4 and G5 compared to G,. An overall mortality of 13% was recorded during the trial and all of it occurred during first 2 weeks. The highest overall mortality of 22.50±3.23% was recorded in group G5 followed by 17.50±6.61% in G4. The villus height of duodenum and jejunum was significantly (p<0.05) higher in G2, G3, G4 and G5 as compared to G,. Crypt depth and muscular is thickness of duodenum was significantly (p>0.05) lower in G4 and G5 compared to G,. Conclusion: The duration of post hatch feeding delay gradually increased the stress level and mortality of birds and also decreased the length of different segments of small intestine in birds. No adverse effect on histomorphology was observed at the end of trial. Feeding at hatchery itself or feeding during transportation of birds would be a viable strategy to overcome the negative effects of delayed feeding in chicken.