Effect of Warm Drinking Water on the Performance and Immunological Responses of Broiler Breeder Hens Raised at Low Air Temperatures

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4 Scopus citations

Abstract

1. The effect of warmed drinking water on the performance and immunological responses of broiler breeder hens maintained at low air temperatures (5.0° to 12-9°C) was tested. From 22 weeks of age hens (mean body mass =2-4 kg) were offered either warm water (27.7°C; WARM; n=24) or tap water (12-7°C; CONR; n=24) twice daily for a total time of 2.5 h or tap water ad libitum (CONA; n =16). Food was restricted for all hens. 2. Daily water intake the WARM hens (103 ml/kg) was similar to that of the CONR (93 ml/kg) and CONA hens (106 ml/kg). 3. There were no significant differences either body mass change or egg production among treatment groups. 4. There was no difference among groups heterophil/lymphocyte ratios. Similarly, there was no difference among groups either phagocytic activity or wattle index after phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) injection. Total and IgG antibody titres to SRBC tended to be highest the WARM hens and these titres were significantly higher than CONR hens 14 d after challenge.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)361-366
Number of pages6
JournalBritish Poultry Science
Volume34
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1993

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Food Science
  • Animal Science and Zoology

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