The relationship of altered water/feed intake ratios on growth and abdominal fat in commercial broilers

Three trials were conducted to investigate the relationship of changing water/feed ratios on growth rate and abdominal fat levels of two genetic lines. Water/feed intake ratios were elevated by feed restriction programs (skip-a-day and 70% restriction) from 0 to 4 days of age. Following return to ad libitum feed, compensatory gains were observed in body weights, and the elevated water/feed ratios declined to levels similar to that of controls. The addition of up to 2.4% dietary salt resulted in increased water/feed intake ratios without reductions in feed intake. Early body weights of birds receiving diets containing high levels of salt were larger than body weights of birds receiving the control diet. Peak differences in body weights occurred at 4 days and were larger in males than females. Feed efficiency from 0 to 4 days was higher for birds receiving high salt diets than for birds receiving the control diet. Decreasing the high salt levels resulted in reduced water/feed ratios to levels comparable to controls. Small differences were observed in abdominal fat between the two genetic lines. Abdominal fat weights were significantly (P less than or equal to .05) reduced (17 to 28%) in both lines when birds were fed a 2.4% salt diet. Although abdominal fat weights were similar between sexes, differences in body weights resulted in significant (P less than or equal to .05) differences between males and females in percent abdominal fat. Data indicated that high water/feed intake ratios may be associated with reduced abdominal fat.