Performance of Finisher Broilers Fed Wet Mash with or Without Drinking Water During Wet Season in the Tropics

Finisher broilers were fed conventional dry and wet mash with varying amounts of water addition (1.0, 1.5, 2.0 parts of water to 1 part of feed) with and without drinking water. Feed intake was higher (P<0.05) in all wet-fed groups but one than birds that received the conventional dry mash. Live weight gain and carcass yield was better (P<0.05) in all wet-fed groups than dry mash feeding. However, feed conversion efficiency (FCE) was highest in birds that received 1 part of water to 1 part of feed with drinking water, their result is comparable to those on conventional dry mash feeding and significantly (P<0.05) better than other wet-fed groups. No significant (P>0.05) differences were observed in weights of the liver, spleen, intestine, abdominal fat, proventriculus, full-gizzard and caeca. This study recommends 1 part of water to 1 part of feed with drinking water for finisher broilers when raised on wet mash during wet season in the tropics.