Serum chemistry and gut morphology of two strains of broiler chickens to varying interval of post hatch feeding

Abstract This trial was carried out to determine the responses of two broiler strains of chicken to different post-hatch access to feed. 180-day old chicks (Arbor acre and Marshal strains) with initial weight range of 39.36–42.24 g were used for this study. Each strain was divided on weight equalization into three treatment groups consisting of three time-periods with access to feeds (4 h, 24 h, 48 h) post hatch in a 2 × 3 factorial experiment after which they were fed ad-libitum. Thirty (30) birds were assigned to each treatment which comprised of three replicates of ten birds. Data collected on serum biochemical constituents and gut morphology were measured and subjected to analysis of variance in a randomized design. The Marshal strain recorded a higher (p