Energy and nitrogen metabolism of chickens infected with either Eimeria acervulina or Eimeria tenella

1. The effects of sublethal infections of E. acervulina and E. tenella on the energy and nitrogen metabolism of groups of five broilers aged 16 d were studied for 16 d in respiration chambers.

2. The metabolisable energy content of the diet for chickens infected with E. acervulina was 0.689 of its gross energy content and N retention was 42.5 g/100 g N intake compared with 0.738 and 47.1 g respectively, in uninfected pair‐fed controls. Chickens infected with E. tenella were similarly affected.

3. Efficiency of utilisation of ME by chickens infected with E. acervulina was 0.43 during the first 8 d after infection, and 0.52 during the second 8 d compared with an overall efficiency by non‐infected chickens fed ad libitum of 0.73. Maintenance energy requirement of infected chickens was higher during the first 8 d after infection than during the second 8‐d period.

4. Body composition measurements showed that of the total gain in weight of chickens infected with E. acervulina, only 7.5 g/kg gain was fat and 213 g/kg was protein compared with 45 g and 210 g respectively for non‐infected chickens fed ad libitum.

5. E. acervulina and E. tenella infections reduced the apparent digestibility of total mineral, calcium and phosphorus.

Notes

Present address: Red Comb Co‐operative Society Ltd, PO Box 2, Dry Creek, South Australia 5094.