Water consumption and the effects of water restriction on performance of broilers in the tropics

Abstract

1. The water requirements of broilers in a hot, humid tropical environment were measured and the effects of four forms of water restriction were investigated over 9 weeks. 2. Voluntary water intake was 10 1 over 9 weeks, about 4.3 1 being consumed during the last 2 weeks. 3. Various degrees and methods of water restriction adversely affected body weight and food conversion throughout the growing period. Food intake was depressed only during the last 4 weeks. High mortality in the restricted birds was due mainly to drowning and heat stress.