محمدعلی زارعی

Extended transportation times for broiler chicks can cause chicks to become weak and dehydrated prior to placement. This study conducted to evaluate the effects of delayed access to feed and water and use of semi-solid products (Omaj and Irasis) on broiler performance and gastrointestinal tract development from hatching to marketing age (42 days). 640 day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were obtained from a commercial hatchery in the near of rearing facility, and immediately transported to the facility, then allocated to the treatments. The treatments were included: feeding a corn-SBM diet immediately after hatching (as a control), fasting for 16, 32 and 48 h (no feed and water) after hatching, feeding Omaj for 16 and 32 h (no water) after hatching, and feeding Irasis for 16 and 32 h (no water) after hatching. All treatments were followed by feeding a corn-SBM starter (up to 21 d), (22-35 d) and finisher (36-42 d) diets. Body weight and feed intake adversely affected by 48 h fasting treatment, and other fasting treatments (16 and 32 h) cause retarded growth than other treatments. Body weight were similar in control, 16 h Omaj and 16 h Irasis treatments (P>0.05). The breast weight of the16 h Irasis treatment was greater than other treatments. The abdominal fat do not affected by treatments. Small intestine weight of control treatment was greater and small intestine weight of the 32 and 48 h fasting treatments was lower than other treatments at the 32 h of age. The small intestine length of control treatment were longer than other treatments at the 21 of age, but the small intestine length of the 16 h Omaj was longer than other treatments at 32 h of age. The pancreas of corn-SBM diet treatment had higher growth, and the pancreas of 32 h Omaj and 32 h Irasis treatments had lower growth at the 32 h of age. After d 4 the weight of pancreas and small intestine did not affected by treatments. The liver weight of 16 h Irasis were greater than other treatments at the 32 h of age