Effects of two nipple drinker types with different flow rates on the productive performance of broiler chickens during summerlike growing conditions.
Three trials were conducted to study the effects of a high flow volume (2.3 mL/s) nipple waterer (HFN) versus a low flow volume (.4 mL/s) nipple waterer (LFN) on the productive performance of broiler chickens as measured by average body weight (kilograms), average feed conversion (kilograms:kilogram), and percentage mortality rate. Equal numbers of male and female birds were used during Trial 1; only male birds were used during Trials 2 and 3. All trials were conducted during the summer months. An attempt was made during Trial 2 to expose the birds to artificial heat stress. No differences were seen during any of the trials in feed conversion between the two treatments. In Trial 1 the only significant difference (P less than or equal to .05) exhibited was in average male body weight (1.87 kg HFN; 1.84 kg LFN). A highly significant difference (P less than or equal to .01) was seen in average body weight (1.75 kg HFN; 1.64 kg LFN) during Trial 2. Average body weight difference during Trial 3 was highly significant at 42 days of age but not at Day 49. Mortality rate figures during Trial 2 indicate a highly significant difference during the 38-day period prior to heat stress (2.2% LFN; .4% HFN), and significant difference during the heat stress period (38 to 44 days; 2.9% LFN; 1.5% HFN). During Trial 3 mortality rate differences were significant by 49 days (20.6% LFN; 11.4% HFN) although there was no difference at 42 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Carpenter
G H
GH
Division of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown 26506-6108.
Peterson
R A
RA
Jones
W T
WT
Daly
K R
KR
Hypes
W A
WA
D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000295:instrumentation; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality; D011897:Random Allocation; D014881:Water Supply