Assessment of variable drinking water sources used in Egypt on broiler health and welfare

Abstract

Aim:This study assessed the impact of four water sources used as drinking water in Egypt for broiler chickens on its performance, carcass characteristic, hematological, and immunological responses.Materials and Methods:A total of 204 unsexed 1-day old Indian River broiler chickens were used in this study. They were randomly allocated into four treatment groups of 51 birds in each, with three replicates, 17 birds per replicate. Groups were classified according to water source they had been received into (T1) received farm tap water; (T2) received filtered tap water (T3) received farm stored water at rooftop tanks, (T4) received underground (well) water.Results:All water sources showed no significant differences among treated groups at (p>0.05) for most of the performance parameters and carcass characteristics. However (T2) group showed higher records for body weight (BWT), BWT gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio, bursa weight, serum total protein, globulin (G), albumin (A) and A/G ratio, Ab titer against New castle disease virus vaccine. On the other hand, it showed lower records for water intake (WI), WI/Feed intake ratio, total leukocytes count %, heterophil %, lymphocyte %, H/L ratio, liver weight, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum uric acid and creatinine. Where filtered water reverse osmosis showed lowest records for bacterial load, the absence of coliform bacteria, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC) and salinity. On the other hand stored water showed higher numerical values for TDS, EC, alkalinity, salinity, pH, bacterial count, and coliform count.Conclusion:Base on the results of this study, it is concluded that different water sources could safely be used as drinking water for poultry; as long as it is present within the acceptable range of drinking water quality for chickens. Suggesting the benefits of treatment of water sources on improving chickens’ health and welfare. Draw attention to the importance of maintaining the hygienic quality of stored water.

<strong></strong>Agro-Meteorological Monitoring: A Study Based on Observations from Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

“…High values of TDS were recorded in the months of November (19mg/L) and December (42mg/L). The results obtained in this study were not in agreement with values (236, 232, 242, and 755mg/L) obtained by Elsaidy et al, (2015). It is gratifying to note that the results were far below the recommended values (0-1000) for Poultry water quality standards (Elsaidy et al, (2015).…”

Studies on avian pathogenic Escherichia coli in commercial broiler chicken in South East Queensland

“…There was a significant decrease in the prevalence of APEC on-farms that incorporated both chlorination and filtration into their management practices, supporting the benefits of this technique as recommended by Saidy et al (2015) and Watkin et al (2008).…”

“…Water is considered a substantial source of various infections on poultry farms (Amaral, 2004;Saidy et al, 2015). Seventy five percent of the farms (n = 30) in this study used treated, reticulated water as the only source of drinking water for chickens, 7.5% of farms (n = 3) used water wells as the only source of drinking water, while 17.5% of farms (n = 7) used a combination of town and dam water.…”

“…Furthermore, poor well design and construction and location of wells in close proximity to sewerage systems might also increase the risk of water contamination (Amaral, 2004). Shallow, aged and/or poorly maintained water wells can lead to contamination (Saidy et al, 2015) therefore, these should be investigated and any potential issues rectified.…”

“…Avian pathogenic E. coli has been previously detected in standing water sources on poultry farms (Amaral, 2004;Pandey et al, 2014), consequently, adequate water treatment is paramount (Pandey et al, 2014;Saidy et al, 2015). Dhillon and Jack (1996) reported that adding chlorine to drinking water provided control in the spread of avian colibacillosis and decreased bird mortality associated with the disease.…”