Effects of ambient temperature on heat increment of feeding and energy retention in growing broilers maintained at different food intakes

Zero-activity heat production (HP), body temperature (Tb) and energy retention were measured in growing broilers maintained at 5 ambient temperatures (Ta) (14 degrees , 17 degrees , 22 degrees , 27 degrees and 32 degrees C) and at 5 feeding rates (ad libitum intake and 75%, 50%, 25% and 0% (fasting) of ad libitum). Zero-activity HP increased with decreasing Ta and increasing food intake. However, at 14 degrees C, zero-activity HP in birds fed ad libitum and 75% did not show further increase, but those in birds fed less than 75% of ad libitum increased rapidly. Results of the regression of zero-activity HP on Ta ranging from 32 degrees to 17 degrees C indicated that the slope was affected little by food intake, but the intercept decreased with decreasing food intake. Tb increased significantly with increasing food intake. There was little variation with Ta but, at and above 27 degrees C, a slightly increased Tb was observed only in birds fed ad libitum. Overall effects of Ta and food intake on HIF (% TME intake) were not found, but HIF tended to increase with decreasing food intake at 14 degrees C. Total energy retention and energy retention as fat decreased with decreasing Ta and food intake, although energy retention as protein decreased only with decreasing food intake. Results obtained here suggest that availability of TME is affected little by Ta ranging from 32 degrees to 17 degrees C and that HIF is utilised, in part, to maintain Tb at any Ta.     

Circadian variation in heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and EEG of immature broiler breeder chickens in restricted-fed and ad libitum-fed states

1. Heart rate, intra-aortic blood pressure, deep body temperature and telencephalic EEG were monitored by radiotelemetry in 6 freely moving immature broiler breeders (three in each of two years), during routine food restriction and then ad libitum feeding, over two 24-h periods in each feeding state.2. Heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature were all higher during ad libitum than restricted feeding, and heart rate and body temperature were higher by day (12 h) than at night (12 h). The decreases in heart rate and body temperature at night were greater during restricted than ad libitum feeding. Blood pressure tended to be higher at night, except in year 2 during restricted feeding. Body temperature and ambient temperature were higher in year 2 than year 1.3. During restricted feeding, marked peaks in heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature in the 15 min after provision of the daily food ration at 09:00 h, when birds were eating, were equivalent to corresponding values seen during ad libitum feeding.4. Relative powers in delta (1 to 4 Hz) and theta (4 to 8 Hz) frequency bands of the EEG power spectrum were higher at night in year 2 only, while power in the alpha (8 to 12 Hz) band was higher at night in both years.5. It is concluded that most of the variation in heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature between feeding states and times of day/night can be accounted for in terms of variation in food intake and energy expenditure. The greater slow wave (delta, theta) EEG activity seen after lights-off in year 2 may reflect non-paradoxical sleep at that time.     

Influence of a high-protein diet on energy balance in obese cats allowed ad libitum access to food

The influence of a high-protein [HP, 47% of metabolizable energy (ME)] diet on energy balance was evaluated in obese cats allowed ad libitum access to food. Energy intake, body weight, body composition, energy expenditure, and concentrations of hormones and metabolites associated with carbohydrate and lipid metabolism (glucose, insulin, free fatty acids, triglycerides and leptin) were measured in cats after consuming either a moderate protein (MP, 27% of ME) or HP diet for 4 months. Indirect respiration calorimetry showed that resting and total energy expenditure (kJ/day) adjusted for either body weight or lean body mass was increased in cats consuming the HP in relation to MP diets. However, voluntary energy intake also was increased in the HP treatment and, thus, there was no difference in body weight between animals consuming the two diets. Body composition measurements using deuterium oxide dilution showed that dietary protein content did not alter amounts of either lean body mass or fat mass. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed between the two treatment groups for blood glucose, free fatty acid or leptin concentrations, although there was a trend (p = 0.054) towards an increase of serum insulin concentrations in the cats eating the HP diet. This study showed that short-term ad libitum feeding of an HP diet did not reduce food intake or promote weight loss in obese cats. However, energy expenditure was increased in the HP diet group and it is possible that this effect of HP might help promote weight loss when energy intake is restricted.     

Effects of high ambient temperature and restricted feed intake on urinary and plasma 3-methylhistidine in lactating Holstein cows

Three experiments were performed to examine the effects of high ambient temperature and feed restrictions on urinary 3‐methylhistidine (3MH) excretion and plasma 3MH concentrations as a marker of myofibrillar proteolysis in lactating Holstein cows. In a crossover design, four cows were maintained during two 14‐day treatment periods with ad libitum feed intake under constant moderate (18°C) or high (28°C) ambient temperature (Experiment 1), with ad libitum or 70% ad libitum feed intake under constant moderate temperature (Experiment 2), and with 70% ad libitum feed intake under constant moderate or high ambient temperature (Experiment 3). The total digestible nutrients intake was decreased (P < 0.01) under high ambient temperature (Experiment 1) or feed restriction (Experiment 2). Across experiments, urinary 3MH excretion during days 10–14 of each treatment period was not different among treatments. However, the plasma 3MH concentrations at day 14 of treatment were increased significantly under high ambient temperature with subsequent reduced feeding (P < 0.01) or moderate temperature with feed restriction (P < 0.05), and were increased slightly (P = 0.11) under high ambient temperature alone. These results show that the plasma marker of myofibrillar proteolysis in lactating dairy cows was increased at day 14 of treatments of high ambient temperature with subsequent reduced feeding, moderate temperature with feed restriction, or high ambient temperature alone.     

Effects of high ambient temperature and restricted feed intake on nitrogen utilization for milk production in lactating Holstein cows

Three experiments were performed to examine the effects of high ambient temperature and feed restriction on nitrogen (N) utilization in lactating cows. Experiment 1 investigated N utilization in four cows fed ad libitum in a 2 × 2 crossover design under constant moderate (18°C) or high (28°C) ambient temperatures. The milk N secretion (P < 0.01) and protein concentration (P < 0.05) decreased under high ambient temperature. Experiment 2 investigated N utilization in four cows under constant moderate ambient temperature in a 2 × 2 crossover design with ad libitum or 70% ad libitum feed intake. The milk N secretion and protein concentration both decreased with feed restriction (P < 0.05). Experiment 3 investigated N utilization in four cows fed 70% ad libitum in a 2 × 2 crossover design under constant moderate or high ambient temperatures. The milk protein concentration decreased under high ambient temperature (P < 0.01). The milk N secretion tended to decrease under high ambient temperature (P < 0.10). Therefore, decreased N utilization for milk production at high ambient temperature is mainly caused by a reduced feed intake and the high ambient temperature itself.     

Effect of altering nutrient density (concentrate to roughage ratio) and restricting energy intake on rate, efficiency and composition of growing lambs

Two hundred ninety-eight Rambouillet ewe and wether lambs approximately 9 mo old from Texas were allotted to pens (29 to 30 lambs/pen). Two replicate pens were fed each of five diets. Two methods of restricting energy intake were evaluated: altering nutrient density (55% vs 72.5% vs 90% concentrate levels) and restricting intake of the 90% concentrate pelleted diet (92.5% or 85% ad libitum intake). Daily gains were highest with the 72.5% concentrate level and feed efficiency was poorest with the 55% concentrate diet fed ad libitum. Altering nutrient density did not reduce energy intake because lambs compensated by increasing feed intake at the lower nutrient densities. Actual feed intake was 89.5% of ad libitum for the 92.5% of ad libitum intake level and 84% of ad libitum at the 85% of ad libitum intake level due to refusal to consume some fines from the 90% concentrate diet. Feed refusal was greatest for lambs with ad libitum access to feed. Average daily gain was depressed by 8% at the 85% intake level. However, feed efficiency was improved (P less than .01) by 20% when intake was restricted to 92.5% of the ad libitum intake level. Differences in carcass traits were small, but consistent; carcass fat content was reduced slightly by restricting feed intake at constant slaughter weight.     

Diurnal variation in heat production related to some physical activities in laying hens

1. Heat production, standing and eating activities, and hourly food intake of 4 laying hens were observed simultaneously and the effects of activity and food intake on heat production were studied. 2. Average heat production during the dark period (20.00 to 06.00 h) was 18.9 kJ/kgW0.75 h which was 33% lower than that during the light period. About 76% of the light-dark difference in the rate of heat production was probably associated with activity and posture. 3. Standing time, which included a range of behavioural activities, occupied 90% of the light period and the increased rate of heat production associated with standing was estimated to be about 18% of daily heat production. 4. Eating time occupied 40% of the light period; the heat production associated with eating activity represented about 5% of daily heat production or 3% of ME intake. 5. Because the regression of heat production on time spent eating agreed with the regression of heat production on hourly food intake, it is suggested that the energy expenditure associated with ad libitum feeding can be estimated for hens from the regression of heat production on hourly food intake.     

Effects of ambient temperature and restricted feeding on the growth of feathers in growing turkeys

1. Male turkeys were reared to 6 weeks of age at 15 degrees C and 26 degrees C and fed ad libitum or restricted to 0.5 of the body weight of birds fed ad libitum. Basal metabolic rate was determined by indirect calorimetry at an ambient temperature of 20 degrees C. 2. Turkeys at 15 degrees C were lighter than those kept at 26 degrees C. Feather lengths and weight were similar in both groups. Fasting heat production corrected for both metabolic body size and activity was greater in turkeys reared at 15 degrees C than those at 26 degrees C. 3. Cranial breast feathers were significantly longer in restricted birds than in those fed ad libitum in contrast to a proportional decrease in the lengths of other feathers of 0.1 to 0.3. Feather weight as a proportion of body weight was 0.072 in restricted turkeys compared with 0.046 in birds fed ad libitum. There was no difference in basal metabolic rate between ad libitum and restricted turkeys. 4. It was concluded that feather growth was maintained in preference to body and muscle growth and that rearing birds at 15 degrees C did not improve breast feather cover. It is suggested that the growth of breast feathers in turkeys fed ad libitum is impaired.     

Effects of short-term feed deprivation and melatonin implants on circadian patterns of leptin in the horse

Leptin is a protein hormone produced by adipose tissue that influences hypothalamic mechanisms regulating appetite and energy balance. In species tested thus far, including horses, concentrations of leptin increase as animal fat mass increases. The variables and mechanisms that influence the secretion of leptin are not well known, nor is it known in equine species how the secretion of leptin is influenced by acute alterations in energy balance, circadian patterns, and/or reproductive competence. Our objectives were to determine in horses: 1) whether plasma concentrations of leptin are secreted in a circadian and/or a pulsatile pattern; 2) whether a 48-h period of feed restriction would alter plasma concentrations of leptin, growth hormone, or insulin; and 3) whether ovariectomy and/or a melatonin implant would affect leptin. In Exp. 1, mares exposed to ambient photoperiod of visible light (11 h, 33 min to 11 h, 38 min), received treatments consisting of a 48-h feed restriction (RES) or 48 h of alfalfa hay fed ad libitum (FED). Mares were maintained in a dry lot before sampling and were tethered to a rail during sampling. Analyses revealed that leptin was not secreted in a pulsatile manner, and that mean leptin concentrations were greater (P < 0.001) in FED vs. RES mares (17.20 +/- 0.41 vs. 7.29 +/- 0.41 ng/mL). Plasma growth hormone was pulsatile, and mean concentrations were greater in RES than FED mares (2.15 +/- 0.31 vs. 1.08 +/- 0.31 ng/mL; P = 0.05). Circadian patterns of leptin secretion were observed, but only in FED mares (15.39 +/- 0.58 ng/mL for morning vs. 19.00 +/- 0.58 ng/mL for evening; P < 0.001). In Exp. 2, mares that were ovariectomized or intact received either a s.c. melatonin implant or a sham implant. Thereafter, blood was sampled at weekly intervals at 1000 and 1700. Concentrations of leptin in samples collected at 1700 were greater (P < 0.001) than in those collected at 1000 (28.24 +/- 1.7 vs. 22.07 +/- 1.7 ng/mL). Neither ovariectomy nor chronic treatment with melatonin affected plasma concentrations of leptin or the circadian pattern of secretion. These data provide evidence that plasma leptin concentrations in the equine are sensitive to acute changes in nutritional status and vary in a circadian pattern that is sensitive to fasting but not to melatonin treatment or ovariectomy.     

肉仔鸡生长过程中行为与产热的变化

研究肉仔鸡成长过程中行为变化对产热量的影响 ,将 2日龄肉仔鸡 36只分为自由摄食、 50 %摄食和绝食 3组进行观测。立位行为集中在明期 ,特别是摄食 30min前后 ,暗期几乎没有出现立体行为。 2日龄时 ,每天约有 70 0min是立位的 ,其后 ,随着日龄的增加而减少。在自由采食区 ,公雏比母雏摄食时间长。 50 %摄食区较自由采食区的摄食时间少。在绝食区 ,随着日龄的增加 ,公母的立位时间呈现减少倾向。 2 1日龄之前随着日龄的增加其摄食时间也增加 ,其后呈现相反倾向。产热 (HP ,kJ/kg0 75)与摄食时间有相同倾向。在 2 1日龄前公雏的HP比母雏低 ,2 1日龄后母雏比公雏低。 1天中各个区的HP活动规律是摄食后 1h内最高 ,暗期降低 ;限制摄食量后 ,HP降低 ,明期和暗期的HP差也随之减小     

Effects of food restriction during the finishing period on the performance of broiler chickens

1. Three hundred 4-week-old commercial Hibrow broiler chicks were fed ad libitum , 85% and 70% of ad libitum or ad libitum for 5 d per week with 3rd and 5th days of food withdrawal for 28 d to examine the effects of food restriction on liveweight, growth rate, food conversion efficiency, dressing percentage, abdominal fat and mortality. 2. Quantitative food reduction to 85% and 70% of ad libitum , and reduction in feeding time by 2 d/week significantly reduced final body weight and rate of growth. 3. Food restriction (to 70% ad libitum ) resulted in lower abdominal fat than ad libitum feeding, 15% food restriction or reduction in feeding time by 2 d/week. 4. There were no significant differences between the effects of 15% food restriction and 2-d reduction in feeding time per week on final body weight, growth rate and abdominal fat. 5. Reduction in feeding time by 2 d/week resulted in the same food efficiency as ad libitum feeding and quantitative food restriction by 15% and a significantly better food efficiency than 30% quantitative food reduction. 6. Reducing feeding time by 2 d/week seemed to have less severe effects on the birds than quantitatively reducing food supply by 30%.     

Effects of food intake regulation on the energy metabolism of hens and cockerels of a layer strain

1. Indirect calorimetry was used to study the effects on the energy metabolism of cockerels and hens after peak lay of a hybrid layer strain of regulating food or energy intake to 80% of ad libitum for an extended period of time. 2. Regulation of food intake decreased fasting and fed heat productions per bird and per unit metabolic body weight (kg0.75). 3. Maintenance energy requirements (per kg0.75) of both sexes were reduced about 20% by regulation; maintenance requirements of cockerels were about 30% lower per kg0.75 than hens on the same treatments. 4. Reducing the intake of all nutrients by 20% had the same effect on the energy metabolism of cockerels as restricting energy alone by the same amount. 5. Gross efficiency of egg production, in terms of both mass and energy, was higher when intake was regulated. During weeks 21 to 52 of restriction, daily egg mass output was significantly higher in hens fed ad libitum. 6. After 52 weeks of food regulation, restricted hens weighed 20% less and their total carcass energy was 36% less than hens fed ad libitum; similar effects were found in the cockerels.     

The effect of meal intervals and weaning on feed intake of early weaned pigs

Feed intake was investigated in early weaned pigs housed in two environments. In the first experiment, pigs in an unfamiliar environment (removed from the sow and placed in nursery pens) were offered a dry diet either ad libitum or at different meal intervals (2, 4 and 6 h). Regardless of meal interval (ad libitum or hourly intervals), early weaned (21 d) pigs failed to consume sufficient feed for maintenance during the first 3 d postweaning. Pigs provided feed ad libitum consumed more (P less than .001) feed (142 vs 84 g/d) and gained more (P less than .05) weight (57 vs 3 g/d) than meal-fed pigs over the 7-d period. Pigs fed at 2-h intervals consumed more (P less than .001) feed than pigs fed at 4-h or 6-h intervals. Compared with preweaning levels (307 mu eq/liter), plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels increased approximately fourfold by d 1 postweaning (1,372 mu eq/liter), then decreased through d 7 to levels below preweaning (142 mu eq/liter). The FFA levels were not affected (P greater than .1) by meal interval. In a second experiment, feed intake was investigated in weaned pigs that were allowed to consume food by a familiar method and in a familiar environment (suckling the sow). When allowed to nurse following a 24-h weaning period, weaned pigs consumed (24.3 +/- 2.8 g/suckling) the same amount (P greater than .1) as non-weaned littermates (28.7 +/- 1.8 g/suckling).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Production responses of layer strain hens to food restriction during rearing

Production responses of laying hens to food restriction during rearing were measured in two trials. Food was restricted by two methods: time restriction (TR, food continuously available for 24 to 30 h each 72 h) and proportion restriction (PR, daily allocations of about 60 to 70% of that consumed by ad libitum fed birds (F]. The rearing treatments were applied from 42 to 162 d and from 56 to 168 d of age in experiments 1 and 2 respectively. All birds were fed ad libitum in the laying period to 437 d and 476 d of age in experiments 1 and 2 respectively. Body weight was reduced significantly in both experiments by both methods of restriction, but more so by TR. Marked compensatory growth accompanied the high food intake following the end of food restriction. There was a significant increase in average egg weight concommitant with a change in the relationship between egg weight and age. Possibly this is due to an altered pattern of food intake at onset of lay.     

Effects of low dietary protein and different allocations of food during rearing and restricted feeding after peak rate of lay on egg production,fertility and hatchability in female broiler breeders

1. A 3x2x2 factorial experiment was conducted with boiler breeder females to determine the effects of body weight gain (three levels) and conventional or lower crude protein concentrations in the rations during rearing, and restricted or ad libitum feeding after the peak rate of lay on egg production, fertility, hatchability, mortality and food consumption. 2. Compared with ad libitum feeding, conventional food restriction resulted in a decrease in average daily food consumption of 0.6 during rearing, 0.2 during early lay and an increase of 0.4 after the peak rate of egg production. Mortality was decreased by more than half. 3. Restricted birds had higher total and settable egg production, fewer defective or damaged eggshells and higher fertility and hatchability than those fed ad libitum. The modified (more generous) rearing programme resulted in lower rates of egg production and higher rates of mortality compared with the conventional food restriction programme. 4. Low-protein rearing rations were associated with higher rates of food intake, higher mortalities and lower rates of egg production than the conventional protein rations. There were no differences in the fertility or hatchability of eggs between birds fed on the two concentrations of dietary crude protein. 5. Ad libitum feeding post-peak was associated with higher rates of mortality to 60 weeks of age. Post-peak feeding had little effect on the rate of lay or egg weight in conventionally restricted birds fed high protein rations or in birds fed ad libitum. Restricted feeding post-peak decreased the rate of lay and egg weight in birds on the modified restriction programme and in conventionally restricted birds fed on the low protein rations. There was no effect of post-peak feeding on fertility or hatchability of eggs. 6. The total numbers of saleable chicks per kg food consumed were 1.83, 1.72 and 0.52 for conventional, modified and ad libitum feeding during rearing; 1.56 and 1.15 for restricted and ad libitum feeding post-peak: there were no differences associated with protein concentrations of rations fed during rearing.     

Effects of environmental temperature and ammoniation on utilization of straw by sheep

Eighteen sheep were used to compare diets based on ammoniated wheat straw (AWS) or untreated wheat straw (WS) at three thermal environments: hot (HE, 36 degrees C, 70% relative humidity (RH], thermoneutral (TNE, 24 degrees C, 70% RH) and cold (CE, 4 degrees C, 70% RH). Six sheep were housed in each environment for at least 21 d prior to the trial. Two periods of 28 d were used in a crossover design. Within each period, digestibility was measured both under ad libitum intake (collections on d 16 to 20) and at restricted intake (collections on d 24 to 28). Diets consisted of 59% straw, 20% alfalfa hay and 21% concentrate. Urea was added to the untreated straw diet (.75%) to compensate partially for the N present in the AWS. Rectal temperature and respiration rates indicated that sheep in the HE were heat-stressed. Sheep housed in the CE had lower rectal temperatures and respiration rates than sheep in the TNE, but they did not shiver or show other visible signs of cold stress. Voluntary DM intake increased from 604 to 806 g/d, and ad libitum DM digestibility increased from 55.5 to 58.2% when AWS was fed. At restricted intake, ammoniation increased diet digestibility from 58.8 to 61.4%. Voluntary intake was lower in the HE (588 g/d) compared to 763 g/d in the TNE and 764 g/d in the CE. Digestibility of DM at ad libitum intake was lower in the HE (54.6%) than in the TNE (57.5%) or CE (58.6%); respective results at restricted intake were 58.5, 61.0 and 60.7%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The regulation of food intake and correlated energy balance in mice.

In order to study the regulation of food intake and correlated body energy metabolism, the effect of restricted feeding during the light period in female IVCS mice was investigated. Access to food and water was restricted (RF group) for 3 weeks only from 10:00 hr to 17:00 hr, and that in the control group remained ad libitum. After starting food restriction (day 1), mean food intake decreased to 10% of the control value, then rose sharply, over the next 3 days, to reach 70% of the control value. Then, it decreased gradually to about 50% of the control value and remained at this low level thereafter. There was no significant difference between mean body weights for the two groups. Feed-efficiency was considered, therefore, to be higher in the RF than in the control group. RF-treatment increased plasma corticosterone levels and decreased locomotor activity. However, the diurnal patterns of plasma corticosterone levels and locomotor activity observed suggest that the circadian rhythm, synchronized with the light-dark cycle, persisted during RF-treatment. These findings suggest that restricted feeding during the naturally inactive phase (light period) induces a decrease in food intake. Animals seem to adapt to underfeeding, at least partly, by increasing feed-efficiency and plasma corticosterone levels and decreasing locomotor activity.     

Thermoregulation and Water Balance as Affected by Water and Food Restrictions in Sudanese Desert Goats Fed Good-quality and Poor-quality Diets

Nine desert goats were used in a 3 x 3 Latin square design in which they were subjected to (a) ad libitum water and food (control), (b) ad libitum food and water restricted to about 40% of the control, and (c) ad libitum water and restricted food (same amount as given to group b). Parameters measured were dry matter intake (DMI), water intake, rectal temperature (Tr), respiration rate (RR), water balance and body weight (BW) changes. The acute effects of the above treatments on these parameters were monitored during the dry summer using two types of feed. The ratio of DMI to water intake decreased (p < 0.01) due to water restriction but increased (p < 0.01) with Lucerne hay compared to grass hay. With both feeds, BW decreased (p < 0.01) with water restriction, with a further decrease (p < 0.01) observed with food restriction. The control group showed a higher (p < 0.01) gain with Lucerne hay than grass hay. Tr and RR increased (p < 0.01) from morning to afternoon; Tr decreased due to food restriction during both morning and afternoon with Lucerne hay (p < 0.05) and grass hay (p < 0.05), whereas RR decreased (p < 0.01) with both types of feeds. For all groups of animals, Tr was higher (p < 0.05) with Lucerne hay than with grass hay, this effect being more pronounced (p < 0.01) with the control group. With both feeds, water restriction decreased (p < 0.01) water turnover rate and evaporative losses, with decreased (p < 0.05) faecal losses observed in the water-restricted groups on Lucerne hay but higher (p < 0.05) losses of urine. The tolerance of desert goats to thermal stress and their coping with shortage of water and food depended on their capacity to lose heat through panting and cutenaous evaporation as well as their ability to concentrate urine.     

Effect of limited feed intake on growth of subcutaneous adipose tissue layers and on carcass composition in swine

Little is known about the function of individual backfat layers in swine. Our objective in this study was to evaluate differential growth of each backfat layer in pigs fed different amounts of the same diet. Relationships of growth of backfat layers to deposition of carcass protein and ether extract were also studied. Feed intake levels were ad libitum, 92.5% of ad libitum, and 85% of ad libitum for 36 barrows averaging 95 d of age and 37.8 kg of weight at the start of the study. Chemical composition of the carcass soft tissue was determined at the end of the 84-d study. Daily gain tended to decrease (P less than .10) and conversion of feed to gain improved (P less than .15) as feed intake decreased. The daily depositions (g/d) of protein and ether extract were 62.9 and 205 for the ad libitum group, 61.1 and 176 for the 92.5% intake group, and 59.3 and 153 for the 85% intake group, respectively. The compositional effect of limiting feed intake for 84 d was to produce less carcass soft tissue of greater lean content. Overall backfat depths were 31.5, 29.6, and 27.8 mm for the ad libitum, 92.5, and 85% intake groups, respectively. The outer backfat layer differed among groups; the 92.5 and 85% groups were thinner than the ad libitum group. Relative to the ad libitum group, the change in depth of the middle backfat layer was 86 and 75% for the 92.5 and 85% intake groups (P less than .01). The inner backfat layer was not affected significantly by level of feed intake.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Metabolic and behavioral adaptation of light-bodied chicks to meal feeding.

1. Two-week-old male chicks of a light-bodied strain were fed one (1M) or two (2M) 2-h meals per day. An additional group was pair-fed (P1M) the amount consumed by the 1M group on the previous day. 2. After 21 days, final body weight of the 1M and 2M chicks attained 65% and 80%, respectively, of that of the control group fed ad libitum. The weight gain of the P1M chicks was equal to that of the 1M chicks. 3. Food consumption of chicks adapted to meals was not even throughout the feeding period. On day 16 of the experiment, the 1M birds consumed 65% of the meal during the first 30 min. P1M chicks behaved similarly to the 1M ones. The intake of the 2M chicks during each meal was exactly half of their daily consumption, despite the uneven time period between meals. 4. The time during which food remained in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) was longer under the meal feeding regimes than in the ad libitum-fed groups. 5. Although neither body composition nor metabolisable energy was affected by meal regime, food utilisation was poorer in the 1M and P1M than in the ad libitum and 2M-fed chicks.