Drinking Water Quality II: Effects on Productive Performance of Layers During Summer

Samples of water were taken from different watering 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. An experiment was carried out to detect the effects of different sources of water on productive performance of layers during summer season. Wellʹs water significantly (P< 0.05) increased egg production and improved feed conversion ratio when offered to laying hens during summer season than did Nile water. A significant increase (P< 0.01) in eggshell thickness was observed in hens given well and Nile water when compare to those given commercial water. It was observed that laying hens given well water during summer season had significantly (P< 0.01) higher plasma sodium levels than those given Nile or commercial water. Treatments had no significant effect (P> 0.05) on water and feed consumption, water/feed consumption ratio, egg weight, change in body weight, Potassium, calcium, magnesium and inorganic phosphorous concentrations of the plasma.