Drinking Water Quality I: Effects on Broiler Chicks Performance During Summer Season

This experiment was carried out to examine the effects of different sources of water on broiler chickʹs performance during summer 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, and 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. Water and feed consumption, water/feed consumption ratio, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, final live body weight and mortality rate of broiler chicks were not significantly (P> 0.05) affected by the different sources of water. Commercial water when given to broiler chicks during summer season resulted in significantly higher (P< 0.01) level of plasma potassium and inorganic phosphorous concentrations compared to well water. Nile and well water increased (P< 0.01) calcium concentration of plasma when offered to broiler chicks than did commercial water. Sodium and magnesium concentrations of plasma were not significantly (P> 0.05) affected by different treatments.