Abstract
This study quantifies the feeding and drinking patterns and growth performance of eighteen individual growing broilers (4-6 weeks old) subjected to the following combinations of cyclic air temperature (T a) and drinking water temperature (T w): T a of 18-25°C and T w of 20°C (Trt 1); T a of 25-35°C and T w of 20°C (Trt 2); and T a of 25-35°C and T w of 25°C (Trt 3). Birds under the cooler T a (Trt 1) had significantly higher weekly feed intake (p<0.05) than those under the warmer T a (Trt 2 and 3) during the fifth and sixth weeks. For the warmer T a regimens (Trt 2 and 3), the cooler T w (Trt 2) led to higher weekly feed intake than the warmer T w (Trt 3) during the sixth week. Weekly mean water intake and water to feed intake ratio were generally higher for Trt 2 and Trt 3 than that for Trt 1. Live body mass of the birds during the sixth week was higher for Trt 1 than that for Trt 2 and Trt 3. These results indicate that cooler air and drinking water temperatures are more conducive for broilers to maintain feed and water intake and thus attain higher body mass. Cooler drinking water led to higher feed consumption under the hot condition. Considerable variability in hourly feed and water intake existed under Trt 1, whereas distinct patterns were associated with the T a variations for Trt 2 and Trt 3.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages | 4271-4288 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| State | Published - 2000 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | 2000 ASAE Annual International Meeting, Technical Papers: Engineering Solutions for a New Century - Milwaukee, WI., United States Duration: Jul 9 2000 → Jul 12 2000 |
Other
| Other | 2000 ASAE Annual International Meeting, Technical Papers: Engineering Solutions for a New Century |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | Milwaukee, WI. |
| Period | 7/9/00 → 7/12/00 |
Keywords
- Broiler
- Cycling air temperature
- Drinking pattern
- Feeding pattern
- Growth performance
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Engineering(all)