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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fayetteville, Arkansas » Poultry Production and Product Safety Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #233634
Title: Effect of high fat diet on broiler chicken performance

Author
item DURAIRAJ, V - UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
item ANTHONY, N - UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
item CLARK, F - UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
item Huff, William
item Huff, Geraldine
item Rath, Narayan

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/11/2008
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A previous study showed a link between elevated lipid levels and femoral head separation in broiler chickens. Thus, a study was conducted to find the effect of high fat diet on femoral head problems along with other physiological parameters. Four replicate groups of 15 chickens were fed either control diet with 4% poultry fat or diets containing 15% tallow, 15% lard or 15% poultry fat respectively from day 1 through 43 days of age. The chickens were reared in floor pens and given ad libitum water. By the end of the trial, there were no significant treatment effects on body weight or incidences of femoral head separation. However, the bone breaking strength was decreased in all high fat fed groups compared with control diet fed group. Body mass index (Tobec value) showed that the proportion of lean meat was significantly lower in all 15% fat fed groups. Serum chemistry analysis showed significantly elevated triglycerides levels in 15% lard fed groups, but there were no specifi c trends among other parameters in high fat fed chickens except an elevated level of alkaline phosphatase and decreased level of magnesium. The 15% fat fed chickens showed an accumulation of inflammatory cells such as heterophils in the liver. Body weight and incidence of femoral head separation were not altered in high fat fed chickens, but a decrease in bone strength and a tendency for hepatic inflammation was observed.