Gastro intestine development and broiler performance at the end of rearing period may be influenced by post hatch feeding. A study was carried out to evaluate the effects of delayed access to feed and water on performance and small intestine length and weight from 1 to 42 days of age in broiler chickens. Treatments were included 0, 16, 32 and 48 hours fasting. Significant differences (P≤0.05) were observed in feed intake and body weight between 48 h fasted and control group in 42 d old chicks, but feed conversion ratio did not affected. Relative liver and pancreas weight (g/100gBW) significantly (P≤0.05) increased by 48 h fasting at 21 day of age. Relative small intestine weight decreased significantly (P≤0.05) by 48 h fasting compared with control in day 4 of age. Forty eight hour fasting also resulted to a significant reduction in jejunum and ileum relative weight at 4 day of age. Duodenum length was lower in 48 h fasted chicks than control group at 4 day of age. The result of this study showed that long term fasting post hatch adversely affect broiler performance and starter feeding immediately after hatching resulted to desirable performance and gastrointestinal development.
