Food and water intake in the non-deprived pigeon after chlordiazepoxide administration

Food and water intake were measured in non-deprived pigeons over a 4h period during daytime. Under control conditions, the ratio of food to water intake was approximately 1:1, and both intakes were a simple linear function of time. Chlordiazepoxide (10 mg/kg, i.m.) doubled the mean amount of food intake, whilst leaving water intake unchanged. This is a first indication that chlordiazepoxide can selectively stimulate appetite for food in an avian species. Some birds showed sedation following a first acute injection; its duration was shortened after repeated injections, and the hyperphagic response to the drug was revealed.