Drinking water quality and its effects on broiler chicks performance during winter season

Samples of water were taken from different sources (commercial, Nile and well). Physical, chemical and bacteriological analysis of samples revealed that, levels of salinity, hardness, alkalinity, Ca, Mg, Na and K in the well water were higher than those in the Nile and commercial water. Higher levels of sulphate and chloride were found in the commercial water. Total bacterial count was higher in the Nile water than in the commercial and well water. Then an experiment was carried out to detect the effects of different sources of water on broiler chicks performance and on plasma minerals contents. Broiler chicks given Nile water had significantly increased (P<0.05) water consumption than those given commercial water, also had significantly improved (P<0.01) feed conversion ratio and increased (P<0.01) water/feed consumption ratio than broiler chicks given commercial or well water. Commercial and Nile water resulted in a significantly higher (P<0.01) plasma sodium concentration than well water. Plasma potassium concentration was significantly higher (P<0.05) in birds given well and Nile water than birds consumed commercial water. A significant increased in (P<0.05) inorganic phosphorous concentration was observed in birds given commercial water than those birds given Nile water. Plasma calcium and magnesium concentrations of birds given different sources of water showed no significant differences (P>0.05). © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2008.