Early nutrition for day old chicks
Early nutrition for day-old chicks is essential for achieving good zootechnical and economic performance. Providing the right nutrients as early as possible helps stimulate intestinal development, supports early feed intake, and helps chicks cope with the stress experienced during the first hours and days of life.
A windowed hatching process followed by intensive handling procedures and transport induces significant stress in day-old chicks. Climate control and the provision of necessary nutrients are therefore crucial.
Although nature provides the day-old chick with nutrients for survival through the remaining yolk sac, providing additional appropriate nutrients is essential for stimulating intestinal development. The intestine is the first line of defense in disease prevention and is responsible for nutrient efficiency.
Why is early nutrition important for day-old chicks?
Early life struggles
Unlike many other species, birds have the advantage of having nutritional storage in their body in the form of the remaining yolk sac. However, unlike other species in professional animal husbandry, birds—whether chickens or turkeys—usually do not have access to feed immediately.
Including hatching, grading, sorting, storage, and transport, it can take between 24 and 72 hours before day-old chicks are placed at the farm. These circumstances make it clear why early feeding in the poultry house is extremely relevant and important for later development.
Besides these external stressors that young birds face after hatch, there is also a significant change in nutrition.
While the yolk basically consists of fats and proteins in poultry-specific molecules, the bird is later confronted with mostly plant-based fats and proteins and, of course, a significant amount of starch.
How can early nutrition facilitate the change from yolk to feed
GalliFirst Pre-starter is developed to supply the necessary nutrients while taking these circumstances into consideration. It merges the needs of the young bird with the demands of the respective production period, supporting performance during this important transition.
A homogeneous, crumbled structure supports a rapid and stable increase in feed intake. With its specifically selected composition, GalliFirst builds a bridge between yolk-based nutrition and later feed-based nutrition and the subsequent development stage of the bird.
The protein component, for example, consists of egg protein sources as well as specifically selected plant-based protein concentrates for an optimal amino acid supply to the developing body.
How Does Early Feeding Support Gut Development?
To achieve fast and balanced gut development in all segments, the nutrient sources combine the “known” nutrients of the yolk with the later plant-based nutrients. This helps the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of young animals adapt without overwhelming it.
A distinguished additive concept based on probiotics and medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) contributes to a balanced and resilient GIT after young birds have already experienced significant stress during the first hours of life.
When Should GalliFirst Be Fed to Day-Old Chicks?
GalliFirst is designed specifically for the first few days—up to 2 days of age—and to stimulate feed intake as early as possible.
The nutrient levels of the feed are designed to ease the transition to the usual starter feed as well, so that no drop in feed intake—which is essential for obtaining good performance—is experienced.
GalliFirst is to be fed additionally to the normal starter feed for the first 2 days after arriving on the farm. It should be applied on paper under the drinking line, with a feed intake of approximately 30 g per bird.
Why Use GalliFirst for Early Chick Nutrition?
The objective is to build the link between the intrinsic nutrition of the bird and the later feed supply.
The aim is for birds to eat as soon as possible, resulting in good GIT development and creating the potential for very high and efficient performance during the production cycle.
GalliFirst facilitates the transition from yolk nutrition to feed nutrition, helping birds cope with the early stressors of life.
What Are the Advantages of GalliFirst?
- Homogeneous, crumbled structure: Allows all day-old chicks, including chicks from younger parent stock, to eat directly.
- Highly digestible protein sources: Provide optimal amino acid availability and ratios, supporting an adequate nutrient supply even when feed consumption is still limited.
- Mix of several energy sources: Provides extra energy to help maintain body temperature while simultaneously starting to trigger enzyme secretion needed to digest feed later.
- Additive concept supporting the GIT: Supports gastrointestinal tract development, helps maintain stable microflora, and stimulates early feed intake.
Supporting Genetic Performance Potential From Day One
If we want to achieve the genetic performance potential of the bird, it is crucial to create the basis for adequate body development. This starts from day one.
GalliFirst facilitates the transition from yolk nutrition to feed nutrition, helping birds cope with the early stressors of life while supporting early feed intake and gastrointestinal development.
