Haematology and histopathology of seven-week-old broilers after early food restriction

The haematology and histopathology of seven-week-old broilers were examined after periods of early food restriction, for six, 10 or 14 days from six days old. After several weeks on an ad libitum diet the birds failed to compensate for the weight lost during early food restriction. Immediately after the periods of food restriction, the birds demonstrated significantly increased heterophil/lymphocyte ratios, reduced eosinophils and slightly raised basophil counts. At seven weeks old, a significant reduction was seen in red and white blood cells and thrombocyte numbers together with significant increases in mean cell haemoglobin and mean cell volume. The haematological profile demonstrated a macrocytic normochromic anaemia caused possibly by a folic acid deficiency as a result of the food restriction. Histopathological lesions were seen in the heart, lungs and liver from birds on all diets but there were more lesions the longer the food had been restricted. Lung disease was more marked where there was inadequate ventilation. Cartilaginous and osseous lung nodules were significantly fewer after food restriction. It was postulated that the increase in pathological lesions in the food-restricted birds may be associated with a stress response.