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Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research

The effect of feed restriction on the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens

Sayda A. Mohammed, Hyder O. Abdalla, Elfadil A. Ezubeir and Mohamed Y. Elbeeli

Abstract:

432 sexed broiler chicks (Ross strain) were used to study the effect of sex and age of restriction on the growth and development of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The chicks were assigned according to a completely randomized design into six treatments ( 2x2+2), each with four replicates of 18 chicks. Restricted chicken were fed daily on 50% of the quantity consumed by the corresponding control of sex for seven days. Feed restriction started either at 15 day of age (R15-21) or 22 day of age (R22-28). During feed restriction, the restricted chicken had significantly(P< 0.05) lower GIT organs and associated organs weights. During realimentation, most parts of GIT (oesophagus, small intestine, large intestine, spleen, pancreas and liver) weights were not affected by feed restriction for both ages of feed restriction. The male chicken, irrespective of age, had significantly (P< 0.05) higher GIT organs weight during feed restriction and realimentation periods. The female chicken had the highest GIT organs relative weights to body weight, compared with the whole body during both periods.


 

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Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 8 (2007) PP. 169-178