Young chick feeding for optimal gut health

Early nutrition in chicks is important in order to meet their needs for initial fast growth rates as well as the development of their gut. This, in turn, will influence their ability to digest and assimilate nutrients. Nutrition of the chick begins in the egg, where the embryo is nourished by the yolk. The quality of nutrients within the egg will depend upon the age of the breeder hen and her own nutritional intakes. For example, antioxidant supplementation in breeder diets is important for the