Effect of a single posthatch intubation of nutrients on subsequent early performance of broiler chicks and turkey poults

Abstract The effects of intubation of various nutrients immediately after hatching on subsequent growth was studied in poultry raised for meat. Two short-term experiments were conducted with turkey poults and two with broiler chicks to market age. In each experiment a solution containing glucose, starch, oil, or a mixture of these was administered, and subsequent growth performance was measured. The intubation of single nutrients into the crop of posthatch turkey poults promoted subsequent growth as compared with controls. This effect was most prominent with the intubation of carbohydrates. Intubation of the mixture promoted growth consistently to market age in broiler chickens. Enhanced growth was associated with increased feed consumption. Intubation of the mixture reversed the depressive effects on body weight of increased posthatch holding time, as well as the negative effects on offspring derived from young maternal flocks, as compared with controls. Results indicate that a single intubation of nutrients immediately after hatching has a tremendous effect on subsequent performance of chicks or poults, especially in birds with delayed access to feed and water. This is probably due to early stimulation of the digestive system in the intubated birds.