Control of ascites in poultry reared at high altitude area through feed restriction

This study was conducted to determine whether the timing and duration of feed restriction has any effect in reducing the incidence of ascites in poultry reared at high altitude. A batch of 1600 RIR strain, 01 day old chicks, were selected and divided into 02 groups of 800 chicks each, as test group (TG) and control group (CG). The test group was kept on feed restriction i.e., feeding chicks for 8 hrs/day only, from 8 days to 28 days age, whereas the control group was given feed ad libitum for the complete period of study. Out of total mortality, the mortality due to ascites was reduced to 14% in test group by following feed restriction, as compared to 26% in control group given normal feed ad libitum for the complete period of study. The study suggested that feed restriction significantly reduced ascites incidence as compared to fully fed controls.