Manipulation of organ growth by early‐life food restriction: Its influence on the development of ascites in broiler chickens

Abstract

1. Broilers were fed ad libitum or early‐life food restricted and grown to 42 d of age to determine the influence of food restriction on the incidence and occurrence of ascites.

2. No differences in body weight, food conversion efficiency or arterial pressure index were observed although haematological data indicated that early‐life food restriction may enhance the incidence of ascites.

3. Allometric growth equations fitted to the data suggested that ascites is associated with the slower development of the heart, lungs and liver of the broiler, relative to whole body growth and development.