The effect of post hatch starvation on growth rate, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, yolk absorption, and small intestine morphological index and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) organs relative weight were evaluated in young broiler chicks. Two hundred and twenty five newly hatched male “Ross-308” broiler chicks were placed in three treatments with five replications of 15b each. The experiment was arranged in a complete random design (CRD) at 6, 12 and 18 hours delay access to feed immediately after hatching as treatments. Body weight and weight gain increased significantly in birds that had access to feed with 6h delayed compared with those at 12 and 18h delayed access to feed. The total gastro intestinal tract and small intestine relative weight and small intestine length numerically decreased with increased delayed access to feed. The highest small intestine relative weight and length were observed in birds that started to feed at 6h after hatching and the lowest weights were observed in birds that started to feed at 18h after hatching. Also, the highest villus height, villus width and apparent villus surface area were observed in birds that started to feed at 6h after hatching. The results of this study revealed that delayed access to feed has adverse effects on broiler performance. Therefore, be recommended that transportation plan have to be provided to chicks to reduce starvation time after hatching.

Keywords