Effects of water restriction on productive performances, excreta moisture, drinking behavior and hematological aspect of laying hens
2001
Fujita, M. (Hiroshima Univ., Fukuyama (Japan). Faculty of Applied Biological Science) | Ohya, M. | Yamamoto, S.
In order to better understand the effect of water restriction on productive performances, excreta characteristics, drinking behavior and hematological aspect, twelve hens were treated with each of ad. Lib. drinking, 300g restricted drinking, 200g restricted drinking and l00g restricted drinking for 7 days. Body weight, daily feed intake and egg production rate significantly decreased (P<0.05 in every case) only under l00g restricted drinking. Feed-water ratio significantly decreased (P<0.05 in every case) under 200g and l00g restricted drinking. Excreta weight, moisture weight of excreta and moisture percentage of excreta significantly decreased (P<0.05 in every case) in the order of enhanced degree of water restriction. Decrease in moisture weight of excreta attained to 27g under 200g restricted drinking and 91g under l00g restricted drinking. Percentage of drinking behavior during 10 min just after water supply in the morning significantly increased in the order of enhanced degree of water restriction. Plasma osmotic pressure behaved in the similar attitude with percentage of drinking behavior, suggesting the occurrence of thirst under 200g and l00g restricted drinking. In the present study, 200g restricted drinking did not affect the productive performances, resulting in the effective decrease in moisture weight of excreta. However, taking account of the possible occurrence of thirst, water restriction should be applied with enough care in order not to distress the welfare of chickens.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Research Information Technology Center