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The natural diet of rainbow lorikeets is low in protein but in captivity their diets contain relatively high concentrations of protein. A nitrogen (N) balance study was carried out to determine the protein requirements of lorikeets for maintenance. Five lorikeets were fed each of three diets, containing 3, 7 or 11 g egg white protein (100 g powdered diet)–1 (‘as is’ basis). After 10 days on a diet, lorikeets were placed in metabolism cages and N intakes and N excretion determined over three days. From the regression of N excretion on N intake (y = 0.8664x+ 0.032) endogenous nitrogen loss (ENL) was calculated as 32 mg N (kg body mass)–0.75 day–1 and the maintenance N requirement as 240 mg N kg–0.75 day–1. The ENL is lower than that of other nectarivores but maintenance requirement is greater, indicating an unusually low digestibility for egg white protein (13.3%). Using a conservatively low digestibility of 4.5% for pollen, it can be calculated that 5–6 g pollen (dry matter) per day would provide the 8 mg N day–1 required by a 150-g lorikeet to replace ENL. By eating 150–200 mL nectar, about 30% of requirement could be obtained.

1. Effects of food restriction on growth rate and relative growth rates of supply organs (liver, heart, lungs and kidneys, digestive tract) and demand organs (breast, back, thighs, abdominal fat) of broiler chickens were studied.2. Birds were restricted in intake to 50% (group FI 50) or 75% (group FI 75) of ad libitum from 5 to 11 d of age; all birds were fed ad libitum from 12 to 39 d of age.3. Relative growth rates from 12 to 39 d of age of group FI 50 were higher (P<0.05) than group FI 75 and control group.4. No significant differences in food conversion ratio, carcase fat and abdominal fat between groups were observed.5. At 12 d of age, relative weight of the empty digestive tract of group FI 50 was higher (P< 0.05) than that of the control group and group FI 75.6. The increased weight of the empty digestive tract may have contributed to the ability of the chickens to achieve compensatory growth after the restriction period.

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