Reducing body fat in broiler chickens and some physiological consequences

Author: G.P.D. Jones & D.J. Farrell
Year: 1989
Issue: 4
Volume: 19
Page: 179 - 183

Five experiments were conducted to devise a feeding strategy to reduce fat deposition in broiler chickens. From these experiments it was determined that early feed restrictions, beginning at 7 days of age, decreased body fat, improved FCE, and had little effect on body mass. The severity of feed restriction had the greatest influence on body fat whereas the duration of the feed restriction phase ultimately affected compensatory growth and final body mass. The optimum level of severity was that which provided only the maintenance requirement of the bird. Optimum duration varied with the strain of bird. Feed restriction by dietary dilution was shown to have similar effects to quantitative feed restriction. Metabolic consequences of feed restrictions were determined by adipocyte measurements and respiration calorimetry. Extreme feed restrictions reduced adipocyte volume but milder restrictions affected adipocyte number. Calorimetric measurements showed that when birds, aged 7 days, were restricted-fed for 4 days, subsequent heat production was higher than ad libitum fed birds even after 30 days of age.

 

 

 

 

 

Keywords: Abdominal fat pad, adipocytes, body fat, broilers, energy metabolism, feed restriction
Read article