THE EFFECT OF PHOTOPERIOD AND NUTRITION ON ASCITES INCIDENCE IN BROILERS

Light restriction was used to restrict growth of male broilers up to 4 1 days of age. Dietary energy and lysine were also investigated for th eir interaction with slowed growth rate. A total of 1440 male broilers was used in each of two trials. Light restriction significantly reduc ed body weights at 22 days (P less than or equal to 0.05) but not at 5 2 days. Restricting early growth by photoperiod for the 3-to-41-day pe riod reduced deaths due to ascites. Neither dietary energy nor lysine affected mortality from ascites. These results suggest chat manipulati on of photoperiod for young broilers is a useful way to limit early gr owth and subsequent ascites mortality.