The Effect of Feed Restriction on Organ to Bodyweight Ratios and Serum Constituents in Male Chickens

Abstract EN

The effect of graded levels of food restriction on bodyweight and organ to bodyweight ratios, and on some blood constituents were investigated.

Forty chicks were reared on a commercial diet up to the 14th weeke of age.

At the age of 16th week, the birds were assigned to five groups.

The control group produced 15% gain in live weight.

Birds consuming 25% less food, gained only 5% in bodyweight.

Fifty percent and 75% less food consumption produced 5% and 10% loss in bodyweights, respectively.

Drastic fasting inflicted 25% loss in bodyweight.

Recoveries and compensation to 15%, 20%, 25% and 40%, respectively resulted from re-feed.

Reduction of feed intake by more than 25% of the control , resulted in retardation in weight gain and escalated deterioration of health and thriftiness.

Affected organs included brain, liver , spleen and testicles.

Fasting markedly lowered total cholesterol and raised Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (GOT) and increased potassium levels Re-feeding failed to correct the situayion, but further lowered cholesteroi and rose GOT .

It was concluded that restricted feeding has serious effects on body and organ weights , and produced some alteration the clinical chemistry picture , exhibited by the levels of liver enzymes measured in some bullets.