519 Optimizing chick quality as one of the way backs in Africa’s poultry revival

• Published in: Journal of animal science 2018-12, Vol.96 (suppl_3), p.506-506
• Main Author: Hamidu, J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abstracts
• ISSN: 0021-8812; 1525-3163
• DOI: 10.1093/jas/sky404.1106

Abstract The quality of day-old chicks is a cornerstone to successful poultry production chain. A study was conducted using 100 each obtained from a local hatchery in Ghana labeled local broiler day-old chicks (LBDOC) and unknown foreign hatchery labeled foreign broiler day-old chicks (FBDOC). Birds were monitored from day old until 21 days of age post-hatch. Analyses were made by euthanizing sample of chicks (n= 20) in each treatment weekly at 1, 7, 14 and 21 days and blood samples collected for analysis. The parameters measured physical characteristics, hematological, immunological, histological and bacteriological parameters. The study was repeated in layer day old chicks also obtained from local (LLDOC) and foreign (FLDOC) sources. All data were analyzed by SAS at P < 0.05. In both broilers and layers, the live weight of chicks was higher in foreign chicks compared to local chicks up to 14 days. The chick lengths were not different but in both types of chicks, the shank lengths were longer in foreign chicks. The local chicks also had a higher percentage of wet and dry residual yolk sac weight as well as higher residual yolk sac fluid volume than the foreign chicks. More than half of the locally hatched broiler and layer chicks had navel strings and leaky navel than chicks with a clean navel, navel button less than 2mm and navel button greater than 2mm combined, compared to foreign day old chicks. Both the broilers and layers record E. coli and Stapylococcus in the yolk sac while foreign chicks had only Stapylococcus. The intestinal villi lengths were also longer in foreign chicks than local chicks. The blood monocytes levels were generally higher in foreign chicks than locally hatched chicks. In conclusion, chick quality impact goes beyond the physical characteristics of chick weight and chick length.