The Role of Early Feeding on the Effects of Alternative Antibiotics on Blood Picture, Immune Competency and Gut Health in Broilers

Abstract

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of early feeding programs (FP) (early access to vitagel^® and versus delayed access to feed post hatch for 24 hours ) and growth promoters (GP) as well as investigate the synergistic effects of and GP on blood picture , immune competency , and  intestinal microbiology of broiler. A total of 1200 male chicks were allotted into two groups. In hatchery : Fed groups (received nutritional supplement (vitagel^®) during transport until 24 hours post hatch and deprived groups restricted within transport box for 24 hours post hatch without nutritional supplement . In farm, the birds divided into negative control (basal diet) and positive control (antibiotic (10mg /kg feed); Bacillus subtillis (200mg /kg feed) and medicinal plant blend (1g /kg feed ).The immune response against NDV(Newcastle disease) was significantly increased (p<0.05) , while antibody titers(Ab) against SRBCs (sheep red blood cells) were numerically high  by vitagel^®. Ab against SRBCs significantly enhanced (p<0.001) with natural growth promoter(Bacillus subtillis and Medicinal plants blend ).Vitagel^®reduces the pathogenic bacteria(p<0.05),also it maintains on beneficial bacteria .Growth promoters showed  significant reduced (p<0.001) of pathogenic bacteria(Clostrodium Spp and E.Coli) and increased (P<0.05) of beneficial bacteria (Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria ).The Lymphocyte(L) was higher with natural GP or interaction effect of vitagel^® and GP. (p<0.05) , the Heterophils(H)  to Lymphocyte ratio (H/L ratio ) and  Heterophil were lower (P<0.01) with interaction effect or natural GP.Results concerning the early feeding supplement confirmed the fact that early feeding post hatch with growth promoters  may affect the gut health and immune competence.

Keywords :early feeding supplement, immunity, bacteriology, growth promoters, blood picture