A Rye Type Growth Depression of Chicks Fed Pectin

Two 14 day experiments were conducted to determine the effect of feeding pectin to chicks. In the first experiment simulated rye was mixed from purified ingredients and incorporated into feed in the place of normal rye. The growth of chicks receiving the simulated rye diet was depressed at day seven. When simulated rye without pectin was fed, growth was improved significantly. The addition of penicillin to the simulated rye diet eliminated the growth depression. In the second experiment pectin was added to a balanced corn-soybean ration at levels of 0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0% of the diet. Each increase in the level of pectin up to 4.5% gave a significant decrease in weight gain. Penicillin supplementation of all diets containing added pectin gave a significant increase in growth. Sticky feces were evident in all chicks fed pectin at concentrations above 1.5% regardless of the presence of penicillin. It is concluded that feeding diets containing pectin to growing chicks will depress growth in a manner resembling the depression observed when feeding diets containing high concentrations of rye.