JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH, vol.26, no.2, pp.89-92, 2004 (SCI-Expanded)
To investigate the effect of early feed restriction on ascites induced by cold temperatures and subsequent effect on growth performance of young broiler chickens, a total of 200 male day-old broiler chickens were divided into two groups. One group of birds received feed ad libitum for 6 wk, whereas the birds of the other group received 60% less feed from day 7 to 14. After day 21 of the experiment, half of the chickens from each group were moved to house with 16C. In the control group, however, early feed restriction decreased the incidence of ascites. The feed restricted birds had lower body weight and feed consumption than ad libitum chickens. Incidence of ascites as well as mortality due to ascites was decreased in feed restricted group. It was concluded that early feed restriction is effective to prevent ascites due to cold stress.