Severe undernutrition in growing and adult animals

Abstract

1. Rhode Island Red and Light Sussex poultry attained their full size in about 6 months.2. When they were held back by undernutrition so that they weighed only about 170g at 6 months of age and were then given unlimited food, they grew—like the normal birds—for about 6 months, i.e. till they were 1 year old, but still they did not attain the same stature as normal birds. 3. The pullets more nearly attained the size of their controls than did the cockerels. 4. On rehabilitation after the period of undernutrition poultry frequently suffered leg weakness which in its extreme form could be diagnosed as perosis. 5. Rehabilitated pullets began to lay large eggs after a comparatively short period of growth and when they were still a small size.