Early nutrition for broilers: A two-edged sword?

The effects of holding time after hatch and carbohydrate supplementation were investigated by offering four diets, one control and three test diets supplemented with glucose, manno-oligosaccharides (MOS) and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS). Three feeding regimens included (a) immediate access to both feed and water; (b) immediate access to water but access to feed 36 h later, and (c) access to both feed and water 36 h post-hatch. Birds that had access to feed and water immediately after hatch were heavier (P<0.05) at 14 days of age, but this effect became less apparent as the birds got older. Birds given glucose, FOS or MOS tended to be heavier, and more efficient (P<0.05) in feed conversion at day 35 regardless of holding time. There was no effect of diet or holding time on bursa weight at 7 days of age. Bursa weight was heavier (P<0.05) for birds that had immediate access to water but 36 h delayed access to feed at 35 days of age. MOS supplementation significantly (P<0.01) increased spleen weight at 7 days of age, but this effect did not persist as the birds got older. Bird with immediate access to water but 36 h delayed access to feed post hatch drank more water (P<0.01) throughout their life. The same was true for birds given MOS. Also, birds that did not have access to both feed and water for 36 h post-hatch or those given MOS in their drinking water had a numerically lower mortality rate.