Effect of drinking water temperature on broiler performance.

In the first experiment, higher body weight gain and feed comsumption were attained with water at a temperature of 23.9 degrees C. as compared with 35.0 degrees C. No significant differences in feed efficiency due to water temperature were evident. Livability was significantly reduced during brooding for the birds given warm water (35.0 degree C). A significant interaction for body weight gain was observed between the initial ambient air brooding temperatures and water temperatures during the growing period. In the second experiment six water temperatures during brooding to three weeks of age were studied. Body weight gain and feed comsumption were significantly depressed at a drinking water temperature of 40.6 degrees C. as compared with drinking water temperatures between 17.8 degrees C. and 35.0 degrees C. No differences in livability were noted which was in contrast to the results of the first experiment. A drinking water temperature below ambient air temperature is apparently beneficial to the growth of the broiler chick. The placement of the waterers in relation to the brooder stoves could influence water temperature which would affect the growth of broilers.