Abstract
Broiler chickens exposed to water sources contaminated with nitrate-nitrogen (1.90, 2.72, 3.55, or 5.19 mg/L) and added coliform bacteria (500 CFU/mL Escherichia coli or 100 CFU/mL Enterobacter cloacae) exhibited reduced (P < .05) body weights at 4 and 6 wk of age. Enterobacter cloacae was the most resilient under commercial-type housing conditions, as reflected by higher bacterial counts at the nipple drinker. Water treatment did not affect feed or water consumption. Both thymus and bursa weight increased (P < .05) as level of nitrate and exposure to bacteria increased. Liver and spleen weights were not affected (P>.05) by water treatment. This study further confirms the nonpathogenic but adverse effects of low-level water nitrate and bacterial contamination on broiler performance.
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