Responses of broiler chickens to incremental levels of water deprivation: Growth performance, carcass characteristics, and relative organ weights

The objective of the study was to assess the effect of varying levels of water deprivation on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and internal organ weight of broiler chickens. Ninety unsexed Ross 308 chicks 2 weeks old were randomly assigned to five water deprivation periods of 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h. Each treatment was replicated three times with six birds per replicate. Broiler chickens were given water ad libitum (0 h) or for 30 min at 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-h intervals. Average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined on a weekly basis. A negative linear relationship (P < 0.05) existed between water deprivation and ADFI. The increase in water deprivation level resulted in ADFI decreasing at an increasing rate. The R-2 value was 0.94. There was no relationship between water deprivation on ADG and FCR (P > 0.05). There was a quadratic relationship between water deprivation and cold dress mass (CDM) and warm dress mass. As the level of water deprivation increased, there were linear increases in relative weight of gizzard, spleen, heart, lungs, liver, and gastrointestinal tract (P < 0.001). The organ weights of the broiler chickens revealed the ability of birds to withstand of up to 24 h. Using differential of quadratic equations, the maximum time of water deprivation that did not negatively affect CDM was estimated to be 4 h.