For the whole rearing period, the cumulated fresh
excreta weight was reduced (P < 0.05) by 56.2% in D+
and by 53.3% in RL birds compared with D- birds. The
total production of dry excreta was, in turn, reduced
(P < 0.05) in D+ birds by 26.3% compared with RL
birds and by 61.2% compared with D- birds. This
difference between results for fresh and dry excreta
was related to a signifi cantly (P < 0.05) different water
content (WC) of excreta between lines. Water content
was greater for D+ than D-, with the differences being
signifi cant around the selection age (i.e., between 14
and 28 d). The RL birds had the lowest WC and differed
signifi cantly from D+ birds from 14 to 49 d