Early posthatch feeding influences small intestine development in broiler chickens

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Avian Physiology
• Gastrointestinal Morphometry

Background:

• Broiler growth rate is limited by small intestinal villi height and surface area post-hatching.
• Intestinal development, including villous height, is most rapid during the first week after hatching.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of immediate post-hatching access to feed and water on broiler small intestine development.
• To assess changes in intestinal structure and morphometry (villous height, surface area, crypt depth) in response to early nutrition.

Main Methods:

• 100,000 Ross 308 broiler eggs were divided into two groups: HatchCare (HC) with early access to feed/water and Standard (ST) with conventional hatching.
• Duodenum, jejunum, and ileum samples were collected on days 1, 7, 21, and 35 post-hatching.
• Morphometric analysis included villous height, width, surface area (VSA), crypt depth, villus-to-crypt ratio (VCR), and goblet cell counts.

Main Results:

• Early feeding (HC group) significantly increased duodenal and ileal VSA by day 7.
• Crypt depth was initially increased in the jejunum and ileum during the first week, then decreased in the jejunum by days 21 and 35.
• Goblet cell numbers were unaffected in the duodenum/jejunum, but reduced in the ileum of the HC group on days 21 and 35.

Conclusions:

• Immediate access to feed and water post-hatching provides significant benefits to broiler small intestine development within the first week.
• These positive effects on intestinal morphometry do not persist throughout the entire broiler growth period.
• Early nutrition plays a critical role in early intestinal maturation but its long-term impact requires further investigation.