Describing the growth and molt of modern domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) primary wing feathers

The use of feathers as noninvasive physiological measurements of biomarkers in poultry research is expanding. Feather molting patterns and growth rates, however, are not well described in domestic poultry. These parameters could influence the measurement of these biomarkers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe the juvenile primary feather molting patterns and feather growth rates for domestic turkeys. The 10 primary wing feathers of 48 female turkeys were measured weekly from week 1 (0 d of age) to week 20. Feathers were manually measured, and the presence or absence of each primary feather was recorded weekly. Generalized linear mixed models were used to investigate if feather growth differed between the primary feathers. The molting of the juvenile primary feathers followed a typical descending pattern starting with P1 (5 wk of age), while P9 and P10 had not molted by the end of the study (20 wk of age). The average feather growth rate was 2.4 cm/wk, although there was a significant difference between the 10 primary feathers (P < 0.0001, 2.1 to 2.8 cm/wk). Over time, feather growth followed a pattern where the growth rate reaches a peak and then declines until the feather is molted. The results of this study provide a critical update of patterns of molting and feather growth in primary wing feathers of modern turkeys. This can have implications for the interpretation of physiological biomarkers, such as the longitudinal deposition of corticosterone, in the feathers of domestic turkeys.     

A universal polymerase chain reaction for the detection of psittacine beak and feather disease virus.

A universal PCR assay was designed that consistently detected psittacine beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) in psittacine birds affected with psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) from different geographic regions across Australia. Primers within open reading frame 1 (ORF1) of the BFDV genome consistently amplified a 717 bp product from blood and/or feathers of 32 birds with PBFD lesions. The PCR did not amplify a product from the feathers or blood from 7 clinically normal psittacine birds. Primers based on regions outside of ORF1 did not consistently produce a PCR product, suggesting there was some genomic variation outside ORF1. The amplified ORF1 PCR products of 10 BFDV isolates, from different psittacine species and from various regions around Australia, were cloned and comparative DNA sequence analysis demonstrated 88-99% of the ORF1 fragments. The derived amino acid sequences of the amplified ORF1 fragments demonstrated similar identity between all 10 isolates. Within ORF1, there was complete conservation of the putative nucleotide binding site and marked conservation of 2 other motifs previously identified as essential components of the replication-associated proteins of other circoviruses and geminiviruses.     

不同羽色麒麟母鸡的体重与体尺性状主成分分析

试验测定了5周龄不同羽色麒麟母鸡的体重和体尺性状指标，并进行体重与体尺性状的主成分分析，旨在了解不同羽色麒麟母鸡的体重与体尺性状之间的内在关联性，为其选种选育提供科学依据。本试验选用1日龄健康白羽和黄羽麒麟母鸡各50只，分成2组，每组5个重复，每个重复10只母鸡，在相同饲养条件下饲养5周后，对体重和体尺性状进行测定。结果显示，白羽麒麟母鸡胫长变异系数较大，黄羽麒麟母鸡胫围变异性较大，选育潜力大；白羽麒麟母鸡体重与胫长呈极显著正相关（P < 0.01），相关系数为0.931；黄羽麒麟母鸡体重与胫长为极显著正相关（P < 0.01），相关系数为0.944，体重与胸骨长、胫围，胫长与胸骨长均为显著正相关（P < 0.05）。不同羽色麒麟母鸡的7个体尺性状均可简化为4个主成分，白羽和黄羽麒麟母鸡累计贡献率分别占信息总量的94.784%和94.809%，且简化的4个主成分所占信息的侧重各不相同，均能反映出麒麟母鸡的体型外貌特征。综上所述，自由采食条件下不同羽色麒麟母鸡体重和体尺性状之间存在着显著的相关性，筛选出的白羽和黄羽麒麟母鸡4个主成分均能反映出麒麟母鸡的体型外貌特征，可为不同体型特征麒麟母鸡的选育提供参考。     

羽毛蛋白饲料添加剂的制备工艺研究

实验以鸡羽毛为原料采用化学水解法制备动物饲料添加剂可溶性羽毛蛋白水解物,通过L93(4)正交实验设计以羽毛溶解率为考察指标,确定羽毛蛋白饲料添加剂的最佳制备工艺条件:Ca(OH)2为羽毛质量的13%、固液比1:9、反应温度126℃和反应时间180min。羽毛蛋白水解物的粗蛋白质含量84.70%、胃蛋白酶消化率为90.60%和粗灰分含量11.01%。     

朝鲜鹌鹑黑素皮质素受体1基因多态性及其在不同羽色个体中的表达

通过混合样品DNA测序方法寻找黑素皮质素受体l（MC1R）基因的突变位点,采用Alu1-RFLP对突变位点在4种羽色（栗羽、黄羽、白羽、黑羽）鹌鹑群体中的基因分布进行了研究;利用qRT-PCR技术测定了MC1R基因在12日龄时4种羽色鹌鹑胚胎皮肤组织中的表达情况。结果表明,在鹌鹑MC1R基因上发现1个T/C突变位点,该位点没有导致编码蛋白氨基酸序列改变,A1u1-RFLP分析发现,该突变位点的不同基因型在4种羽色鹌鹑群体间的分布有显著差异（P〈0.05）。4种羽色鹌鹑皮肤组织中MC1R基因的表达量存在明显差异,栗羽鹌鹑皮肤组织中该基因的表达量明显高于黑羽鹌鹑皮肤中的表达量（栗羽〉黄羽〉白羽〉黑羽）。本试验没有发现导致日本鹌鹑黑羽突变的Glu92Lys突变位点,表明朝鲜鹌鹑的黑羽突变与报道的日本鹌鹑黑羽突变的机制不同,朝鲜鹌鹑的黑羽可能与其他基因的突变有关。     

Investigations on feathering, feather growth and potential influences of nutrient supply on feathers' regrowth in small pet birds (canaries, budgerigars and lovebirds)

The aim of this study was to quantitate feathering in several companion birds. Besides the ratio of feathers to whole body mass, feather length as well as feather weight were of interest. Furthermore, data on feather loss and growth rates were estimated. In general, it could be observed that the proportion of feathers relative to body mass varied between 14 (canaries) and 7.4% (lovebirds). Feather losses (outside the moult period) amounted to an average of 6.65 (canaries), 8.98 (budgerigars), and 8.43 (lovebirds) mg/bird/day respectively or 37 (canaries), 20 (budgerigars), and 17 (lovebirds) mg/100 g body weight/day (values of interest in calculating of protein requirements for maintenance). In canaries, the average growth rate of the developing feathers amounted to 2 mm/day. In contrast to the onset of feather regeneration, the growth rate of new feathers leaving the follicle was not influenced by the supplements used here. The regeneration period (first measurable feather growth) of a plucked pinion can be used as an indicator and objective parameter to test potential nutritional influences. Parallel to the improvement of nutrient supply the rates of feather losses and also replacement increased, whereas the rates decreased when seed mixtures without any addition of minerals, sulphurous amino acids, and vitamins were fed.     

Establishment of feather follicle stem cells as potential vehicles for delivering exogenous genes in birds

The present study was performed to develop a culture system for feather keratinocyte stem cells to enable the genetic manipulation of endangered avian species. The feather follicle cells were isolated from growing feathers of adult White Leghorn chicken. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) was used to maintain the characterization of the keratinocyte colony-forming cells (KCFCs). The EGFPN1 plasmid DNA retroviral vector was used to deliver Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) gene, which was introduced to the KCFCs by lipofection. After removal of the fibroblast-like cells, the feather KCFCs attached to the substrate within 24 h of seeding. The cells continued to proliferate for at least 30 days in the presence of LIF. The cell-adhesion molecules such as integrin beta1 and CD49c were immunocytochemically positive in the cells. The KCFCs differentiated into barbular cells and pennaceous feather vane in the LIF-free medium. The GFP gene-transfected KCFCs stably expressed GFP. The present results indicate that the KCFCs derived from feather follicles are closely related to multipotent stem cells. In addition, gene manipulation of such stem cells may be useful for the production of chimera in avian species.     

Plumage colour and feather pecking in laying hens,a chicken perspective?

1. This study investigated whether feather damage due to feather pecking and bird behaviour were influenced by plumage colour in Oakham Blue laying hens (black, white, grey colour variants). The reflectance properties of feathers and spectral composition of light environments experienced by the hens were also examined. 2. Nine hundred and seventy-nine birds were inspected and scored for feather damage; 10.5 h of video recordings were examined to record feather pecking and bird behaviour. Feathers and light environments were measured using a USB-2000 spectrometer and DH-2000-CAL-DTH lamp. 3. Oakham Blue birds with white plumage had less feather damage due to feather pecking than black or grey birds. There was more severe feather pecking in the mornings than in the afternoon. White birds feather pecked severely more than black or grey birds, although there were no other behavioural differences between plumage colours. 4. White feathers reflected at a higher intensity than black or grey feathers. However, black and grey feather spectra were relatively flat and the contribution of UV wavelengths to plumage reflection was proportionally greater than that for white feathers. 5. Light intensity inside a poultry house was 100 x (UW/cm2/nm) less than on the range and there was low or no UV reflectance. Under the dim, artificial lights inside a poultry house, Oakham Blue hens with black and grey feathers may be less visible to conspecifics than white birds because their plumage reflects at a lower intensity. Furthermore, the lack of available UV light inside vs. outside and the higher contribution of UV reflectance to black and grey plumage may make black and grey birds appear more different inside the house than white birds. It is possible that this novel/unusual appearance may make black or grey Oakham Blue hens more susceptible to feather pecking.     

A description of the growth and moulting of feathers in commercial broilers

ABSTRACT

1. Changes in feather length and weight and daily losses of down, contour feathers, remiges and retrices were studied in two commercial broiler strains to determine feather growth and moult in broilers up to 112 d of age.

2. Ten pens of 20 chicks for each sex x strain were fed adequate amounts of dietary protein in a four-phase feeding programme. Ten birds were sampled per genotype at 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84, 98 and 112 d. Feather loss was determined for individual birds caged within a nylon net.

3. All feathers were dry-plucked from each of seven tracts, with representative feathers from the capital-cervical, dorsopelvic and interscapular, pectoral and femoral tracts being randomly selected. Three rectrices of the dorsocaudal tract and three primaries and secondaries of the humeral-alar tract of the right wing were evaluated.

4. The length of the selected feathers was measured, and the feathers from each tract and from the whole bird were weighed.

5. A wide range of rates of maturing (0.0250–0.0907/d) and mature weights (9.62–52.9 g) were evident between sampled tracts.

6. Feather weight failed to predict some moults which were detected by the measurement of feather losses. From the weight data, moulting was evident only in the humeral-alar and dorsocaudal tracts, whereas, when daily losses were measured, contour feathers accounted for over 0.7 proportion of feather losses. Logistic equations adequately described the cumulative losses of down, contour feathers and remiges.

7. Feather loss needs to be considered when feather growth is determined from feather weight at different ages.

8. The rate of maturing (B) of feathers was numerically higher in Ross males and females than in the Cobb strain. In females, B was higher than in males (0.0483 vs. 0335/d) but the mature weight was lower (162 vs. 230 g).     

Possible control mechanisms of feather follicle movement in the pectoral tract of the chicken

Feather follicle movement control was studied on feathers of the pectoral tract in the anaesthetized chicken. Dissection of nerves leading to the follicles showed that their origin was at least partially in the sympathetic ganglia. Reflectoric ruffling of feathers could be obtained after adequate stimulation. Intravenous injections of drugs in doses which influenced the circulation gave the following results: Adrenaline caused erection of feathers which was abolished by phentolamine. Noradrenaline caused up and down movements after injection only at high doses. Similar results were obtained by placing of skin pieces in saline containing the drugs. The reaction to drugs was typical always for a given group of feathers. Killing of birds and anaesthesia caused general erection of feathers which was not abolished by phentolamine. The findings suggest that adrenergic synapses are involved in feather follicle movement control, but at least another mechanism (CNS) regulates feather follicle movement.     

Role of loose feathers on the development of feather pecking in laying hens

1. The effect of the presence of loose feathers (on the floor) on the behaviour and plumage condition of laying hens (Lohmann Silver, LS) was studied during the rearing and laying periods. 2. From one day old, 60 birds in each of 4 straw-bedded pens (n = 240 in total) with 6.5 birds/m(2) were either kept under conventional rearing and management conditions (CT: control group with feathers on the floor; n = 120) or in pens from which the feathers were collected from the floor 4 times/week (FR: feathers removed; n = 120). Fifty birds from each of these 4 groups (n = 200 in total) were randomly selected at the age of 16 weeks and allocated to 4 identical pens in a poultry layer house (PH; with perches and 1/3 slatted floor) with access to an outside area (winter garden, WG) at a stocking density of 6 birds/m(2) in both PH and WG. 3. Observations on feather pecking and other behaviours (feeding, drinking, preening, standing, sitting, foraging, moving and dust bathing) were carried out at 8 ages: 6, 10, 15 (rearing period), 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 weeks (laying period). Feather scoring was carried out at 15, 32 and 39 weeks of age. 4. There were no differences in feather pecking rates, forms (gentle, severe and aggressive pecks) as well as in the plumage condition between groups at the end of the rearing period. 5. Birds in the FR group exhibited lower rates and less severe feather pecking during the laying period. Accordingly, birds in the control group had worse feather condition at 32 and 39 weeks of age. Feather pecking rates within groups were, in general, greater in the afternoon compared to the morning periods. Birds in the control group were more active in walking. 6. Wings, rump, tail and back were the main targets for feather pecking. The majority of feather pecking occurred on the floor (66%) followed by feeding area (26%), perches (4%) and slats (4%). 7. Our results suggest that loose feathers on the floor may play an important role in the development and severity of feather pecking behaviour in laying hens and support the hypothesis (McKeegan and Savory, 1999) that feather pecking can be viewed as redirected foraging behaviour.     

The pathology of psittacine beak and feather disease

Psittacine beak and feather disease is characterised by loss of feathers, abnormally shaped feathers and overgrowth and irregularity of the surface of the beak. The disease occurs in a number of psittacine species including the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Lovebirds , Budgerigars and Galahs . The abnormal appearance of feathers and beak is due to a dystrophic process within the epidermis of the feather and beak. The process consists of epidermal cell necrosis, epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis. Many of the feather abnormalities are due to retention of a hyperkeratotic feather sheath. A characteristic microscopic finding is the presence of macrophages containing purple intracytoplasmic inclusions in affected epidermis and feather pulp. The inclusions consist of aggregates of particles 17 to 22 nm in diameter. Similar but smaller inclusions occur in epidermal cells. In addition, non-suppurative inflammation occurs in the feather pulp. The findings are suggestive of a viral infection.     

Possible control mechanisms of feather follicle movement in the pectoral tract of the chicken

Feather follicle movement control was studied on feathers of the pectoral tract in the anaesthetized chicken. Dissection of nerves leading to the follicles showed that their origin was at least partially in the sympathetic ganglia. Reflectoric ruffling of feathers could be obtained after adequate stimulation. Intravenous injections of drugs in doses which influenced the circulation gave the following results: Adrenaline caused erection of feathers which was abolished by phentolamine. Noradrenaline caused up and down movements after injection only at high doses. Similar results were obtained by placing of skin pieces in saline containing the drugs. The reaction to drugs was typical always for a given group of feathers. Killing of birds and anaesthesia caused general erection of feathers which was not abolished by phentolamine. The findings suggest that adrenergic synapses are involved in feather follicle movement control, but at least another mechanism (CNS) regulates feather follicle movement.     

Psittacine beak and feather disease: a first survey of the distribution of beak and feather disease virus inside the population of captive psittacine birds in Germany

Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) is the most common viral disease of wild and captive psittacine birds. Here, we designed the first survey to investigate the existence of subclinical infections and the distribution of the causative agent named beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) inside the population of captive psittacine birds in Germany. DNA was isolated from feathers of 146 symptom-free birds from 19 different genera (all psittaformes) taken from 32 independent breeders from all over Germany. The presence of BFDV was analysed by performing polymerase chain reaction assays. Fifty-eight (39.2%) samples were found to be positive for BFDV. As expected, there was no significant predominance of one sex to be infected with BFDV.     

Preen gland function in layer fowls: factors affecting preen oil fatty acid composition

1. Preen oil derived from the preen gland has previously been shown to differ in its composition between birds of different ages, sex and diet. As a part of a larger study on preening behaviour and its components, the relative percentages of fatty acids in preen oil were examined in laying hens that differed in age, beak trimmed status, feather pecking status (pecker and pecked) and method of sampling (either direct from the preen gland or from lipid extracted from feathers). 2. Five experiments are described. Fatty acids extracted from lipid were analysed by gas chromatography (GC). Fatty acid composition was affected by age, by whether or not a bird was feather pecked (but not if it was a feather pecker) and by lipid source. 3. Changes in preen oil composition with age (shown here) may be due to changes in circulating concentrations of hormones. Differences in preen oil composition between feather pecked and non-pecked birds may influence plumage odour and therefore taste, making the plumage of some birds more attractive to pecking than others. 4. The proportions of some fatty acids derived from feathers differed to those extracted from the preen gland. Lipid found on feathers is most likely a combination of that from the preen gland and from sebaceous secretions from the skin.     

Effects of dietary protein concentration and specific amino acids on body weight,body composition and feather growth in young turkeys

1. Two randomised block factorial experiments were conducted to investigate the relationships between the effects of dietary crude protein and specific amino acid concentrations on the relative growth of the body and feathers of young turkeys. 2. Decreasing dietary crude protein concentration from 300 to 180 g/kg in experiment 1 reduced the body and breast muscle weights of a large male line of turkeys proportionally by 0.44 and 0.52 compared with 0.19 and 0.24 in a small traditional line. 3. Decreasing dietary crude protein concentration was associated with a maximum reduction in feather weight of 0.18 and 0.24 respectively in male line and traditional turkeys. The length of the feathers in the cranial region of the breast decreased from 26 to 19mm in the traditional line compared with an increase from 14 to 25 mm in male line turkeys. 4. Decreasing dietary crude protein concentration was associated with an increase in the fat content of the feather-free carcase. Male line turkeys had a higher carcase fat and lower feather dry matter content than the traditional turkeys. 5. It was concluded that dietary crude protein was preferentially partitioned to feather rather than muscle growth in the male line in contrast to a traditional line of turkeys in which the growth of feathers and muscle were affected equally. 6. In experiment 2, the amino acids arginine, valine, methionine and tyrosine were added separately to a common basal ration (180g CP/kg) to raise their concentration to that of the control ration (260 g CP/kg). Each ration was fed ad libitum to male line turkeys from 2 to 6 weeks of age. 7. Amino acid supplementation increased body and breast muscle weights. 8. Compared with the basal ration, tyrosine was associated with a reduction in feather weight whereas valine had no effect. Supplementation with arginine and methionine resulted in increased feather weights that were similar to that of the controls. 9. It was concluded that arginine and methionine were used preferentially and are essential for feather growth. Excess amino acids that are not required for feather growth such as tyrosine and valine were used for increased body growth and resulted in relatively poor feather cover. 10. The results suggest that feather growth was maintained as much as possible at the expense of body growth when the amino acid concentration of the ration was less than that required to maximise body and muscle weight gain in large male line turkeys.     

北京油鸡快慢羽公鸡鉴定及羽毛发育、生长和繁殖性能的对比分析

试验通过开展快慢羽群体的鉴定,并对比其在羽毛发育、生长和繁殖性能方面的差异,旨在为北京油鸡种鸡选育和科学养殖提供数据支持。选用北京油鸡纯系公鸡,出雏时,按照主翼羽与覆主翼羽的羽长差值将其分为快慢羽亚群,其中快羽包括K1（主翼羽长于覆主翼羽>5 mm）和K2（主翼羽长于覆主翼羽2~5 mm）,慢羽包括M1（主翼羽与覆主翼羽等长或主翼羽长于覆主翼羽<2 mm）和M2（主翼羽短于覆主翼羽）和M3（主翼羽未长出）。1~7日龄每隔1 d测量1次主翼羽与覆主翼羽羽长,7~42日龄每隔1周测量1次;1~8周龄每周测量体重,9~18周龄每隔1周测定体重;10周龄时,观测公鸡全身羽毛发育情况;47周龄时,测定公鸡常规精液品质性状、精子动力学参数、受精率及孵化率。结果显示,快羽公鸡占北京油鸡公鸡总数的11.60%,慢羽占88.40%,慢羽又以M2型为主,有少量M1型和M3型。育雏育成期（1~18周）北京油鸡快慢羽公鸡各周龄体重均无显著差异（P>0.05）。在育雏育成期,慢羽公鸡主翼羽和覆主翼羽生长均慢于快羽公鸡。其10周龄时,背部和腿部羽毛生长完全的鸡的比例仅为44%,且不同类型的慢羽公鸡的比例也不一,其中等长型或微长型慢羽最高,超过90%,未长出型慢羽最低,仅为17%左右。47周龄时快羽鸡和慢羽鸡的常规精液品质无差异,但是快羽公鸡精子直线性显著高于慢羽鸡（P<0.05）,直线速率高于慢羽公鸡（P=0.06）,快羽北京油鸡公鸡受精率显著高于慢羽公鸡（P<0.05）,且入孵蛋孵化率和受精蛋孵化率有高于慢羽公鸡的趋势,但差异不显著（P>0.05）。本研究结果表明,快慢羽北京油鸡公鸡的羽毛生长和繁殖性能有一定差异,需要加强慢羽公鸡羽毛发育缓慢原因和鉴定方法的研究,也需加强慢羽公鸡精液品质选育。     

鹌鹑肠道微生物总DNA的最佳提取方法

为了获取高质量、较完整的肠道菌群基因组DNA,试验采用常规的饱和苯酚/氯仿法(方法一)、牛瘤胃DNA的提取法(方法二)和对上述两种方法进行优化后得到的肠道微生物DNA的提取法(方法三)对鹌鹑肠道微生物总DNA进行了提取,并对结果进行了比较。结果表明:应用方法一和方法二提取的DNA浓度比较低,电泳显示样品DNA条带没有方法三明亮;以方法三提取的肠道总DNA为模板,采用细菌通用引物,对其16S rDNA V3可变区进行PCR扩增,得到较清晰的图谱,条带整齐。说明采用方法三提取鹌鹑肠道微生物DNA较完整,可用于后续的分子生物学试验研究。     

Metal accumulation in House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) from Thohoyandou,Limpopo province,South Africa

Studies on metal pollution (cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, manganese and nickel) in South African terrestrial environments are severely lacking. Due to being relatively unaffected by industrialisation, the Thohoyandou region may provide data on natural levels of metals for use as baseline data. The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) was chosen as a bio-indicator of metal pollution due to its abundance, non-migratory lifestyle and close association with humans. The aims were to determine the viability of using feathers as a non-lethal bio-indicator tissue compared with muscle. Plume feathers, flight feathers and muscle tissue were analysed using ICP-OES techniques. Analyses of tissue metal concentrations identified the following trend: plume feather > flight feather > muscle tissue. Within the Thohoyandou region, Magondi, which was affected by anthropogenic activities at the time of sampling, had significantly higher concentrations (p ≤ 0.05) for each of the metals, indicating potential metal contamination from various sources. Alternatively, Makonde had the lowest metal concentrations and may be an important reference site for future comparative studies. The results showed that the House Sparrow can be used as a bio-indicator organism in South African terrestrial environments. The plume feathers indicate that they are a good non-lethal tissue for determining metal pollution levels on a temporal scale, indicating recent metal exposure.     

The development of thermal resistance of the feather coat in broilers with different feathering genotypes and feeding regimes

1. This study compared the development of thermal resistance of the feather coat in broilers, with early or late feathering genes, and with or without the naked neck gene, allowed ad libitum or restricted feeding. 2. Male and female broilers of one of the 4 genotypes were reared to 6 weeks of age and allocated to one of the two feeding regimes. The thermal resistance of the back and crop region was measured at weekly intervals. A sample of birds were killed at the same ages and total feather weight, primary and secondary flight feather weight, liver weight and abdominal fat weight were measured. 3. All three main factors, sex, feeding and genotype, had significant effects on feather weight over time. The primary and secondary flight feathers were less affected by feed restriction than the feather coat as a whole. Birds with the naked neck gene showed a greater depression in growth rate than birds with a normal neck under conditions of restricted feeding. 4. The thermal resistance of the feathers on the back was greater in females, increased by early feather growth and decreased by restricted feeding. 5. Relative to metabolic body size, birds on restricted feeding had a greater feather weight and a smaller liver. There was a marked reduction in fat deposition, to almost negligible levels by 6 weeks of age. 6. Broilers given restricted feeding, in preparation for breeding, would benefit by a warmer environment, particularly those with feathering genotypes which confer a lower thermal resistance.