Effects of Supportive Gluconeogenic Substances on the Early Performance of Broilers under Adequate Brooding Conditions

Two trials were conducted to determine if gluconeogenic supplementation (GS) via injection at day of hatch would facilitate early survivability and growth in chicks from immature breeder hens under adequate brooding conditions. Early chick mortality and feed conversion were not influenced by treatment; however, BW between Days 1 and 6 postinjection were influenced by treatment. An unexpected positive response to injected saline was observed, but GS provided a greater effect on BW at two times. These results suggest that under proper brooding conditions, chick growth may be facilitated by saline or supplemental gluconeogenic nutrients during early transition from fat to carbohydrate-based nutrient uptake in posthatch chicks. However, normal growth was achieved in chicks from a young flock when provided adequate brooding conditions.