Energy and nitrogen metabolism of chickens infected with either Eimeria acervulina or Eimeria tenella. |
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| Authors: | B S Takhar D J Farrell |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition , University of New England , PO Box 2, Armidale, New South Wales, 2351, Australia;2. Red Comb Co‐operative Society Ltd , Dry Creek, 5094, South Australia;3. Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition , University of New England , PO Box 2, Armidale, New South Wales, 2351, Australia |
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| Abstract: | 1. The effects of sublethal infections of E. acervulina and E. tenella on the energy and nitrogen metabolism of groups of five broilers aged 16 d were studied for 16 d in respiration chambers. 2. The metabolisable energy content of the diet for chickens infected with E. acervulina was 0.689 of its gross energy content and N retention was 42.5 g/100 g N intake compared with 0.738 and 47.1 g respectively, in uninfected pair-fed controls. Chickens infected with E. tenella were similarly affected. 3. Efficiency of utilisation of ME by chickens infected with E. acervulina was 0.43 during the first 8 d after infection, and 0.52 during the second 8 d compared with an overall efficiency by non-infected chickens fed ad libitum of 0.73. Maintenance energy requirement of infected chickens was higher during the first 8 d after infection than during the second 8-d period. 4. Body composition measurements showed that of the total gain in weight of chickens infected with E. acervulina, only 7.5 g/kg gain was fat and 213 g/kg was protein compared with 45 g and 210 g respectively for non infected chickens fed ad libitum. 5. E. acervulina and E. tenella infections reduced the apparent digestibility of total mineral, calcium and phosphorus. |
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