Effect of sources of water on the performance of broiler chicks

Abstract

The effect of different sources of drinking water on the performance of broiler chicks fed a standard diet was investigated. The water sources were rain water (RNW), stream water (STW) and pipe-borne water (PBW) during the starter phase (week 0-4). The sources of water used during the finishing phase of the broilers (week 4-9) were well water (WLW), STW and PBW. There was no .significant effect of the sources of drinking water on feed intake, weight gain, feed:gain ratio or water intake:feed consumed (ml/g) (p>0.05) during the starter phase. There was also no significant effect of the sources of drinking water on performance during the finisher phase (p>0.05). It is concluded that any of the water sources used in this experiment can be supplied to broiler chicks starter and finisher without adverse effects on performance.

Key words: Sources of water, performance, broiler chicks