Water Usage of Broiler Breeders

ABSTRACT Water usage of daily fed and skip-a-day-fed broiler breeder pullets housed in cages was measured in two trials. Daily fed birds in both trials had free access to water. In Trial 1, skip-a-day-fed birds were restricted to 4 h water every day or only on feed days. In Trial 2, the skip-a-day-fed birds were water restricted 4 h either every day, only on feed days, or had free access to water. Skip-a-day-fed birds tended to drink more water on feed days than on off-feed days but amounts were significantly different only in Trial 2. Water intake of these skip-a-day-fed birds on off-feed days was less than that of comparable birds fed on a daily basis with free access to water. Conversely, skip-a-day-fed birds drank more water on feed days than did daily fed birds (P<.05) when both groups were given free access to water. Overall mean daily water consumption and spillage were unaffected by feeding or water restriction regimens. The main influence of skip-a-day feeding and water restriction appears to be on the pattern of water consumption and not on overall water usage. Daily feeding increased body weight gain relative to that of birds fed skip-a-day, although water restriction did not influence growth. Metabolizable energy derived from a feed was unaffected by feeding or water restriction regimens