Fat Absorption by the Very Young Chick

Abstract

Intestinal absorption of corn oil and beef tallow was studied in White Leghorn male chicks during the periods of 2 to 7 and 8 to 15 days of age. Absorption of both fats was less at the earlier age. The corrected absorbability of corn oil increased from 84 to 95%; that of beef tallow from 40 to 79%. With both dietary fats, the greatest amount of fat appeared in the excreta at 5 and 7 days of age and then decreased rapidly within a 2-day period. Absorbability values for corn oil and tallow during the 8 to 15 day period agreed with generally accepted values found in the literature, while those for the 2 to 7 day period were lower. These results show that the newly hatched chick does not have full physiological capacity for fat absorption. However, this appears to develop rapidly after the first few days of life.