Although changes in dietary crude protein levels change metabolism in broiler chickens, there is little information concerning the time course of the process of adaptation. Therefore, male Indian River broiler chickens were fed diets containing either 120 or 210 g protein/kg from 7 to 28 d of age and then were fed the other level for an additional 12 d. Birds were bled and killed at 0, 2, 5, 7, 9 and 12 d following the reversals. Measurements taken at these intervals included in vitro lipogenesis, growth and feed consumption, hepatic enzyme activities and plasma metabolites and metabolites. Birds fed the lower level of crude protein were smaller and less efficient in growth from 7 to 28 d. Feeding these birds a higher protein diet from 28 to 40 d improved both growth and feed efficiency. Lipogenesis was also greater and plasma insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) less in birds fed the lower protein diet. Switching dietary treatments increased and decreased lipogenesis as birds were switched from high to low protein and from low to high protein diets, respectively. Half-maximal changes were observed 4 d after the reversal and maximal changes 7 d after the reversal. In contrast, switching dietary treatments decreased and increased plasma IGF-I as birds were switched from high to low protein and from low to high protein diets, respectively. Half-maximal changes were observed 2 d after the reversal. Of the three hepatic enzymes monitored, malic enzyme activity most closely followed the rapid changes in in vitro lipogenesis. Plasma IGF-I may be a more sensitive indicator of changes in dietary protein than changes in intermediary metabolisms.