# Late ad libitum feeding reverses early feed restriction-induced immune deficit in broilers

## TL;DR

Feeding chickens less early but more later improves their health and growth, reversing earlier damage.

## Contribution

Late ad libitum feeding reverses early feed restriction effects via gut microbiota and Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation.

## Key findings

- Early feed restriction impairs growth, immunity, and gut signaling in broilers.
- Late ad libitum feeding restores immune function and activates gut Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
- Gut microbiota and butyrate mediate recovery from early feed restriction effects.

## Abstract

Restricted feeding mitigates metabolic diseases and offers a cost-saving potential for broiler production. This study investigated a feeding strategy to reduce costs without compromising health. Four hundred and eighty one-day-old male broilers were divided into four groups subjected to 21-day feed restriction with different daily access times (24, 20, 16, or 12 h), followed by ad libitum feeding for 24 h (ADF) until 70 days. Early feed restriction (EFR) significantly decreased body weight, average daily gain, feed intake, and bursa of Fabricius index (p < 0.05), while suppressing intestinal Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and enhancing inflammatory responses. Subsequent ADF reversed these effects, restoring growth performance and immune indices to control levels. Butyric acid and butyrate-producing bacteria increased significantly (p < 0.05), accompanied by activated Wnt/β-catenin pathway and enriched beneficial flora. In conclusion, ADF alleviates EFR-induced inflammation and promotes immune recovery via gut microbiota and Wnt/β-catenin pathway, providing a viable cost-effective feeding strategy.

•Early feed restriction impairs broiler growth, immunity, and gut Wnt/β-catenin pathway•Late ad libitum feeding restores immune function and reactivates gut Wnt/β-catenin pathway•Gut microbiota and butyrate mediate recovery from early feed restriction in broilers

Early feed restriction impairs broiler growth, immunity, and gut Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Late ad libitum feeding restores immune function and reactivates gut Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Gut microbiota and butyrate mediate recovery from early feed restriction in broilers

Poultry immunology; Poultry microbiology; Agronomy; Agricultural products