[Inefficacy of post-hatching overfeeding in modifying the subsequent feeding behavior, growth and body composition of the chicken].

The effects of post-hatching overfeeding were studied in the chicken. Hubbard and Leghorn chickens were force-fed daily from 0 to 9 days of age by a factor of 1.5 times the food intake of the ad libitum-fed group, then 1.2 times that intake from 10 to 15 days. Thereafter, they were refed ad libitum. As might be expected, body weights were increased at the end of the forced-feeding period in overfed chickens of both breeds. Liver weight and malic enzyme activity and the size of adipocytes isolated from subcutaneous and gizzard adipose tissues (only measured in the Leghorn breed) were also increased by overfeeding. After ad libitum refeeding, weekly food intake and body weight gain up to 56 days of age were normal in overfed Hubbard chickens as compared to the controls. In overfed Leghorn chickens, those parameters decreased temporarily (1-2 weeks) and then became normal. At 28 and 35 days of age, the hourly distribution of daily food intake was not modified by prior overfeeding. Fasting plasma glucose levels were significantly lower at 15 and 42 days of age but normal at 56 days in overfed chickens. Glucose tolerance at 15, 42 and 56 days and abdominal fat content at 56 days were not modified by overfeeding. The glucose tolerance of Leghorn chicks was similar to that of Hubbard chickens at 14 days, but faster at 42 and 56 days. Therefore, overfeeding chickens immediately after hatching does not affect subsequent appetite, body weight gain or body fat content. This is contrary to the results observed in the rat and the mouse.