Abstract: 【Objective】 The purpose of this experiment was to study the effects of feeding fermented feed in early growth stage (1-21 days old) on growth performance,nutrient utilization,intestinal health and meat quality of broilers.【Method】 A total of 240 1-day-old AA broilers were randomly divided into 4 groups with 6 replicates in each group and 10 chicks in each group.In the early growth stage (1-21 days old),the four treatment groups were fed with experimental feed supplemented with 0,5%,10% and 15% fermented feed respectively,while in the later growth stage (22-42 days old),all the chicks in four treatment groups were fed basic feed without fermented feed.On the 21st and 42nd day of the experiment,the growth performance in 1-21 days old,22-42 days old and 1-42 days old,nutrient utilization efficiency in 19-21 days old and 40-42 days old,the number of intestinal bacteria and meat quality on 42nd day of broilers were measured.【Result】 Compared with the control group,feeding 10% fermented feed significantly decreased the feed to gain ratio of 1-21 days old broilers (P＜0.05);Feeding 15% fermented feed significantly increased the average daily gain and average daily feed intake of broilers aged 1-42 days,the dry matter utilization rate and energy utilization rate of 19-21 days old broilers (P＜0.05).Feeding fermented feed at early stage had no significant effect on the number of cecal bacteria of broilers at 42 days old (P＞0.05).Feeding fermented feed significantly decreased the content of cholesterol in meat of broilers on the 42nd day compared to control group (P＜0.05).【Conclusion】 Feeding 10% fermented feed at early growth stage significantly reduced feed to gain ratio of 1-21 days old broilers,and feeding 15% fermented feed significantly increased the average daily gain,average daily feed intake,and dry matter and energy utilization rate of 19-21 days old broilers.Feeding fermented feed reduced cholesterol content on the 42nd day of chicken,but had no significant effect on the number of cecal bacteria of 42-day-old broilers

Key words: fermented feed; broilers; growth performance; nutrient utilization rate; meat quality; gut health