Effect of Controlled Drinking Time on Feeding Behavior and Growth of Young Broiler Breeder Females

Abstract

Two experiments involving 360 females each were conducted to investigate restriction of time of water availability as an alternative to skip-a-day feed restriction. Each study utilized chicks of parental broiler stock from hatch to 8 weeks of age. Daily 23 hr water restriction was compared in production and behavior parameters to a skip-a-day feed restriction program (Experiment 1) and to a mild 3 hr water restriction (Experiment 2).Eight week body weight gains were reduced 40% for skip-a-day feed restricted and 30% for 23 hr water restricted birds compared to birds given feed and water ad libitum. Feed intake of skip-a-day feed restricted birds and water intake of 23 hr water restricted birds were significantly lower than that of all other treatment groups. Feed conversion was similar for all groups, whereas skip-a-day feed restricted birds had the poorest water conversion. The skip-a-day fed birds spent the lowest percentage of time resting, particularly from week 5, when the full scale restriction program began. Several behavioral observations indicated that the 23 hr water restriction program imparted less discomfort to the birds than skip-a-day feed restriction. Supply of water on a daily fixed interval reinforced discriminative avoidance of feed intake during the period of water restriction. It is assumed that such an arrangement is advantageous to bidaily removal of feed. The 3 hr water restricted birds exhibited the highest weight gains. This could be the result of synchronization of feeding to the regular onset of water supply with ensuing effects of social facilitation.