Early access to feed and water and Neurospora intermedia in broiler starter diet: part I. production performance and...

1. This study evaluated the effects of early access to feed and water following hatch, and inclusion of Neurospora intermedia biomass (as a source of protein and bioactive compounds) in chicks' starter diet. Variables monitored were growth performance and organ development.2. A total of 432 Ross 308 chicks hatched on-farm were provided with either immediate access to feed and water (early-fed) or delayed access at 48 h post placement (late-fed). In addition, chicks were fed either a control diet (C) or a diet with 10% N. intermedia (N) until d 10, or fed N until d 6 followed by C (NC). From d 10 and onwards all chickens received the same commercial grower diet.3. Late-fed chicks had lower accumulated feed intake and BW until d 9. On d 5, the weights of all measured organs, except the bursa and spleen, were lower in late-fed chicks. At the same time point, late-fed chicks had longer intestines and lower heart weights, relative to body weight, compared to early-fed. None of these differences persisted at the end of study on d 43 when, instead, the bursa weights, both total and relative to body weight, were higher in late-fed chickens.4. During the initial period when only early-fed chicks had access to feed and water, diet C resulted in higher FI compared to diet NC, and a higher (inferior) FCR compared to dietary treatments N or NC. On d 43 relative bursa weights were higher in chickens fed diet N compared to C.5. The results suggested that chickens are capable of compensating for 48 h deprivation of feed and water post-hatch. Supplementing with fungal biomass of N. intermedia can partly replace soya protein concentrate as source of high-quality protein in diets for young chicks.