The Influence of the Energy: Volume Ratio on Growth Response in Chickens

Abstract

ROBERTSON et al. (1948) reported that an increase in volume of a diet from a value of 0.64 to one of 1.10 liters per pound of diet through the use of wheat by-products and oats lowered chick weight about 20 percent at 4 weeks of age. Their data indicated that the energy requirements for satisfactory growth were about 800 Cal. per pound of diet based on productive energy values reported by Fraps (1946). Panda and Combs (1950) employed purified cellulose and combinations of cellulose and high fiber natural feedstuffs to vary energy content of diets, and reported that the energy requirement of chicks up to 8 weeks of age was 840 Cal. per pound of diet. When energy levels ranging from 975 to 505 Cal. per pound of diet were fed, Dansky (1952) obtained maximum growth rate in chicks on all diets even when pulverized oat hulls were substituted for . . .