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

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