Performance of Broiler Chickens and Turkey Poults Subjected to Feed Restriction or to Feeding of Low-Protein or Low-Sodium Diets at an Early Age

The use of low-sodium (LoNa) and low-protein (LoPr) diets was examined in chickens and LoNa diets in turkey poults as a means of restricting growth at an early age. In the first trial, the LoNa, LoPr, or control diet were fed to 8-day-old male broiler chickens for ad libitum consumption for 6 days. An additional treatment group was pair-fed the LoNa diet (feed restricted). During the restriction period, the birds fed the LoPr diet gained the least BW. Also, these birds did not recover the lost weight as measured at 56 days of age; but feed efficiency was improved significantly. At 56 days of age, abdominal fat was reduced. Meat yield was not affected by any of the early-growth-restriction treatments terminated at 14 days of age. In another experiment, 6-day-old female chicks received a LoNa diet for 6 or 9 days or were severely feed-restricted for 6 days. At 56 days of age, BW losses had been recovered completely only in the birds fed the LoNa diet for 6 days. Feed efficiency was improved and carcass fat was reduced in all restricted groups. For 10 days, 7-day-old turkey poults were given 1) LoNa diet 2) pair-feeding regimen for the LoNa birds, or 3) a more severe regimen of feed restriction. At 147 days, the BW of the restricted birds, especially of the group pair-fed the LoNa treatment, exceeded the weight of the controls. A large part of this difference between feed-restricted birds and the control birds could be accounted for by a corresponding difference in the yield of breast muscle. Overall feed efficiency was improved for the birds in all of the regimens involving early growth restrictions. The results suggested that feeding a LoNa diet may be beneficial in terms of early growth restriction for chickens and turkeys. However, the recovery of BW appears to be more complete when a controlled, early feed restriction is employed.