Abstract
Considering the importance of drinking water and its effect on broiler performance, drinking water quality was studied using six different litter materials. The presence of coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli was investigated. The following litter materials were used in the trial: wood shavings, rice husks, chopped Napier grass (Pennisetum pupureum), 50% sugarcane bagasse (Saccharum L.) + 50% wood shavings, 50% sugarcane bagasse (Saccharum L.) + 50% rice husks, and plain sugarcane bagasse (Saccharum L.). A number of 1620 Ross® one-day-old chicks were reared in 54 pens measuring 4.5 m² each, equipped with a bell drinker and a tube feeder. Water samples were collected in sterile tubes on days 28 and 42 of the rearing period, and submitted to the laboratory for analyses. Microbiological data were organized by classes expressed in a logarithm scale, where the lowest contamination corresponds to class 1 and the highest contamination to class 4. Results showed that total coliform contamination was higher on day 28 than in the end of the rearing period, and that E. coli presence was detected during both analyzed periods. The litter materials that presented lower degree of water contamination, predominantly class 1, were sugarcane bagasse and 50% of sugarcane bagasse and 50% of rice husks.
Highlights
Poultry production has grown in Brazil, and since 2007 an average of 10 million tons of chicken meat are annually produced per year, with approximately 70% sold in the domestic market and 30% as exports (UBA, 2008)
Results showed that total coliform contamination was higher on day 28 than in the end of the rearing period, and that E. coli presence was detected during both analyzed periods
This study aimed at evaluating drinking water quality in bell drinkers used in broiler production as function of the litter material used in houses during the rearing period
Summary
Poultry production has grown in Brazil, and since 2007 an average of 10 million tons of chicken meat are annually produced per year, with approximately 70% sold in the domestic market and 30% as exports (UBA, 2008). More important than water quantity is water quality, as the hygienic and physical-chemical quality of drinking water plays a key role in ensuring efficient animal production (Amaral et al, 1999; Li, 2009). Previous studies have shown that pathogenic bacteria and excessive amounts of chemicals in water supplies can reduce animal production, impair fertility, and cause the bird mortality in extreme cases (Abbas et al, 2008; Li, 2009). Contaminants in drinking water can leave residues in animal products, i.e. meat, milk and eggs, which adversely affect product sales and may pose health risks to humans. In order to improve water quality a number of solutions, such as filtration, coagulation, solar radiation, chlorination, and acidification have been developed to improve farm water quality (Barton, 1996; Macari, 1996)
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