Cyclic Watering of Broiler Cockerels1

ABSTRACT Two trials were designed to compare the performance of broilers receiving free access to water with those receiving cyclic access to water. Birds that received water in a cyclic pattern were presented water by the activation of waterers for 15 min in each 3-h cycle (Trial 1) or 30 min in each 4-h cycle (Trial 2). In each trial, the control group received water ad libitum. Feed and water consumption and body weight were reduced in the cyclic-watered birds after 21 days of age in Trial 1 and were not different in the cyclic-watered birds in Trial 2 when compared with values for controls. Watenfeed ratio and feed conversion values of the cyclic-watered birds were not altered by the cyclic watering regimens used in Trials 1 and 2. Observations of drinking patterns in Trial 2 demonstrate that the cyclic presentation of water can induce meal-drinking in cyclic-watered birds, but the feeding pattern of these birds was not altered. These data demonstrate that alteration of drinking activity can be accomplished without affecting growth and feed efficiency, and that altered drinking activity does not necessarily alter feeding activity. (Key words: feed consumption, water consumption, watenfeed ratio, cyclic watering, behavior