Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of water and feed restriction during the pre-starter phase on the broilers performance and organs development (heart, liver, gizzard and intestines). In each experiment, a 480 males Ross chicks was allotted to a five levels (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40%) of water or feed restriction during the first seven days of age. The broilers were fed with the same diet, in nutritional composition, in all treatments. With water or feed restriction, it was observed a linear reduction in the performance during de first seven days of age and reduction in absolute organs weight, however the relative weight (RW) was not affected, except for gizzard that increased with restriction. After 7 days of age, it was observed a compensatory gain of the broilers, over all in the subsequent week (8 to 14 days). At 42 days, the birds showed similar body weight independently of the type of restriction. In the birds under water restriction, the feed conversion in the period from 8 the 14 days of age was better birds submitted to previous restriction, while, among those under ration restriction, this difference did not occur. Percentage of blood hematocrit linearly increased at 7 days of age with the increase of water restriction, and at three days of age with feed restriction. In both experiments there was no influence of the restrictions in the lot uniformity and in carcass and parts yield. The water intake was more independent than feed intake, therefore showed lower reduction when the birds were under feed restriction.
birds; compensatory growth; dry matter
