A similar response can be observed in broilers subjected to a sudden decrease in the duration of light exposure after 14
days of age. After about 14 days of age, the diurnal feeding behavior in broilers is established and a change in lighting
program will adversely affect feed intake in some birds. For example, if a bird is accustomed to feeding during a time
that has changed from a light to a dark period, it will go hungry for several days until it learns to eat during the light
period. Often a spike in mortality follows shortly after the birds begin eating, and dead birds are often found with their
intestines full of feed. In other words, realimentation following a period of inanition due to management or enteric
disorder can cause a spike in flock mortality.