Effects of cool drinking water on rectal temperature and blood acid-base status of two chicken breeds in a summer open-side house
2016
Tomihisa, A. (Tokushima Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Technology Support Center, Livestock Research Division, Itano-gun, Tokushima-ken (Japan)) | Yamada, M. | Kasahara, T. | Shimizu, M.
Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of cool drinking water on chicken breeds in a summer open-side house. In experiment 1, 57-day-old Awa-Odori (local chicken, developed by the then Tokushima Livestock Experiment Station : 172 males and 172 females) were divided into two groups, and kept in floor pens. Experiment 1 was completed when the Awa-Odori reached 84 days of age. In experiment 2, 36-day-old broiler chickens (160 males and 160 females) were divided and kept as with the experiment 1. Experiment 2 was completed when the chickens reached 49 days of age. Temperature of the environment and drinking water was measured using temperature data loggers. The mean environment temperature during experiment 1 and 2 was 29.3degC and 27.2degC, respectively. In experiment 1, cool and normal water temperatures were 19.0degC and 29.3degC, respectively, while in experiment 2, cool and normal water temperatures were 15.8degC and 26.4degC, respectively. Significant lower rectal temperature and heat-related mortality caused by cool water intake was observed in both experiments. In addition, cool drinking water caused significant lower blood pH and higher pCO2 in the chickens in both the experiments compared to normal temperature water. These results suggest that cool drinking water prevents a body temperature rise and respiratory alkalosis, and reduces heat-related mortality in the hot environment.
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