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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mississippi State, Mississippi » Poultry Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #162046
Title: EFFECT OF HIGH FLOW RATE NIPPLE DRINKERS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF 21 D OLD MALE BROILER CHICKS

Author
item Roush, William
item LOTT, B - MISS STATE UNIVERSITY
item Branton, Scott

Submitted to: Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/10/2004
Publication Date: 7/25/2004
Citation: Roush, W.B., Lott, B.D., Branton, S.L. 2004. Effect of high flow rate nipple drinkers on the performance of 21 d old male broiler chicks. Poultry Science Association Meeting. v. 83(Suppl. 1). p. 74. Abstract M296.

Interpretive Summary: Not required for abstract only.

Technical Abstract: Two trials were conducted to examine three week production effects of providing water to broiler chicks with bell and two nipple drinker treatments with low (week1: 30ml/min; week 2: 40ml/min and week 3: 50ml/min or continuous high (120 ml/min) flow rates. In each trial, 80 male chicks were placed on litter in each of nine environmental chambers. Each treatment was replicated in three environmental chambers. Temperature was 32 degrees C for the first week and reduced by 2.6 degrees C weekly. Starter diets, provided as crumbles, and water were provided for ad libitum consumption. Light was continuous. Water consumption was recorded at 6 hour intervals. Bird weights, feed consumption and litter moisture for each chamber were determined weekly. Litter samples for moisture determination were collected in a 1 foot radius of the drinkers. Statistical significance was considered at P = 0.05. There were no significant differences in the weight gain for the first two weeks. At week 3 the weight gains for broilers on the bell drinker were significantly larger (469 g) than the birds on low (455.7g) or high flow (451.0g) drinker treatments. Feed conversion during the first week was significantly improved for birds drinking from high flow drinkers; however, there were no differences in feed conversion for the second or third weeks. There was no difference for water usage between bell (121.1 ml/bird) and high flow (121.5 ml/bird) drinkers with a significantly lower usage (109.4 ml/bird) for low flow drinkers. There were no treatment differences in litter moisture or percent livability.