Effects of Dietary Supergel on Growth Performance, Immunity Response, Gut Morphology, and Gene Expression of Turkey Chicks

In order to evaluate the effect of feeding Supergel on the biological traits of turkey chicks, ۲۰۰ Bronze turkey chicks (mixed sex) were used. This study was done by completely randomized design with five treatments, five replicates, and eight chicks per replicate for five weeks. The experimental treatments were as follows: early access to feed and water, deprived of feed and water for ۴۸ hours, feeding Supergel formula-۱ for ۴۸ hours, feeding Supergel formula-۲ for ۴۸ hours, and feeding Supergel formula-۳ for ۴۸. The results showed that the chicks fasted for ۴۸ hours had lower body weight gain than other groups (P < ۰.۰۵). Chicks fed formula ۱ of the functional Supergel had a better feed conversion ratio than control and fasted groups (P < ۰.۰۵). Mortality of the fasted group was higher than other groups (P < ۰.۰۵). The feed cost per ۱ kg gain was lower in turkey chicks fed with Supergel formula-۱ than in control and fasted groups (P < ۰.۰۰۱). The production efficiency index was lower in chicks deprived of feed and water (P < ۰.۰۰۱). The gene expression of IGF-۱ in the jejunum was the lowest in the fasted group on d ۳۵ (P < ۰.۰۵). Early feeding with Supergel decreased the HSP۷۰ gene expression. In general, the results of the present study showed that feeding functional Supergel immediately after the hatch of turkey chicks positively affected the performance, feed cost, jejunum morphology, and decreased HSP۷۰ gene expression in turkey chicks.

Keywords:

Immunity , Turkey chicks , Supergel , Growth performance