Selection for body weight at eight weeks of age. 16. Restriction of feed and water.
The consumption of feed or water of chickens selected for high body weight was restricted to that of a line selected for low body weight. In addition, reciprocal crosses of the two lines underwent feed or water restriction to that of the low body weight parental line. Restriction of water depressed feed intake to a greater degree in the high line than in the crosses but depressed body weight by approximately 10% in all groups through 28 days of age. Feed restriction caused a greater depression in body weight in the high line than in the crosses at 28 days of age. The effect of feed or water restriction on the feed:water ratio was dependent upon mating type, suggesting the absence of a simple relationship among growth, body composition, and feed efficiency.
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002645:Chickens / Q000235:genetics*; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D004326:Drinking; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012641:Selection, Genetic