Evaluation of different water flow rates of nipple drinkers on broiler productivity

Transcription

1 C 2015 Poultry Science Association, Inc. Evaluation of different water flow rates of nipple drinkers on broiler productivity C. Quilumba, E. Quijia, A. Gernat,,1 G. Murillo, and J. Grimes Escuela Agricola Panamericana/Zamorano, P.O. Box 00093, Tegucigalpa, Honduras; and Prestage Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC Primary Audience: Nipple Drinker Manufacturers, Live Production Managers, Nutritionists, Researchers SUMMARY Watering systems utilized in broiler production can impact bird performance. Many companies have increased water flow rates (WFR) in their nipple drinkers (ND) system during brooding above the manufacturers recommended level, then make adjustments in WFR during the grow period. This has increased moisture and early caking problems in litter. The objective of this study was to determine how birds perform on different WFR rates during brood and grow periods while observing litter condition. Seven WFR treatments were evaluated for broilers reared from 1 to 42 d age: 50 ml/min, 75 ml/min, 100 ml/min, 120 ml/min, 50 ml/min 1to7dincreasingto75mL/min8to42d,75mL/min1to7dincreasingto100mL/min8to 42 d, and 100 ml/min 1 to 7 d increasing to 120 ml/min 8 to 42 d. Chicks were identified and randomly allocated in a randomized complete block design. BW, cumulative feed consumption (FC), FCR (feed:bw), litter moisture (%), and litter moisture under the ND were determined weekly to 42 d. Mortality (MO) was recorded daily. Birds tended to have heavier BW on d 35 when (P = 0.08) on the higher WFR (75, 100, and 120 ml/min) in comparison to birds on the lowest WFR (50 ml/min). No differences were observed for FC, FCR, or MO. Birds on treatments with higher WFR (100 and 120 ml/min) and treatments which were increased to higher WFR (75 to 100 ml/min and 100 to 120 ml/min) utilized greater amounts of water as compared to birds receiving lower WFR (50 and 75 ml/min). The 100 and 120 ml/min WFR resulted in higher percent litter moisture (P 0.01) under the ND but decreased at the end of the growing period. In conclusion, as birds become heavier, they attempt to utilize larger amounts of water from ND with greater WFR without any beneficial effect on bird performance. As WFR increase, litter moisture under the ND will initially increase but then decrease as the birds age. Key words: broiler, nipple, water flow, litter, water utilization 2015 J. Appl. Poult. Res. 24: DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM Water and watering systems utilized in broiler production can have a major impact on bird performance. Water consumption is highly corre- 1 Corresponding author: agernat@zamorano.edu lated with bird age, BW, environmental temperature, and feed consumption (FC) [1]. Clearly, as birds get older they get heavier and need more water. In the past, cup, bell, and trough drinkers were the primary systems used in broiler production. Today nipple drinkers (ND) are the standard for most new broiler houses and many older ones

2 QUILUMBA ET AL.: NIPPLE DRINKERS FLOW RATE 59 have been retrofitted with ND. However, more knowledge is required to properly operate ND systems. Growers must understand the importance of various flow ratings and water consumption patterns. Once ND is installed into the system, water flow rate (WFR) is regulated by pressure. The ND systems use pressure regulators to control the amount of water released when the nipple mechanisms are triggered. Regulators must be adjusted on a regular basis (at least weekly and perhaps more often) to maintain water pressure at a manufacturer recommended level. Manufacturers suggest that water pressure should be maintained at a low setting when chicks are very young. This will require the chick to apply very little pressure to trigger the nipple, thus lowering WFR through the nipple. This will decrease the possibility of excess water wastage leading to caked litter formation. As birds increase in age and weight it is recommended that water pressure be gradually increased to allow for more water to flow through the drinker when the nipple is triggered [2]. The force required to trigger the nipple is greater at a higher pressure; however, as birds get bigger and stronger they are able to apply more force allowing them to access to a greater amount of water over less time. Under thermo-neutral conditions, broilers consume about one and a half to 2 times as much water as feed, by weight, but they only retain about 20% of the water, thus 80% is excreted or respired [3]. Adjusting the regulator throughout the life of the flock is important since an elevated pressure may result in an excess supply of water to the birds promoting wet litter under the water lines or lower pressure may lead to insufficient water availability. With the amount of moisture birds excrete in addition to the excess moisture from the watering system will only increase problems with litter moisture, ammonia, respiratory diseases, foot pad dermatitis, and carcass downgrades at processing. Currently many growers that work with broiler integrators have been increasing water pressure in their nipple systems during brooding, thus increasing WFR above the manufacturers recommended level, then adjusting to increase flow rates during the growing period. This practice has brought about higher moisture and early caking problems in the litter, thus creating a serious negative effect on bird performance. The importance of water and of watering equipment on the productive performance of broilers has been reported [4 7]. The utilization of the nipple watering system in the broiler industry has become a standard for over the past 20 yr. Studies have been conducted to determine the ratio of nipples to the number of broilers in order to obtain optimum performance [8 10]. Vest [11] reported that producers who had installed ND observed improved feed conversion and less condemnation but similar BW when compared with trough waterers. Peterson et al. [12], in a preliminary study, found that starting 1-day-old broiler chicks might require additional water from supplemental chick waterers in addition to that supplied by ND. Carpenter et al. [13]foundthat the livability of broiler chicks started with supplemental waterers in addition to ND was greater than that of broilers started on ND alone. There is concern that certain types of nipples restrict water flow as compared to open systems. The ND tends to save labor, waste less water, and reduce processing plant carcass condemnations when properly managed [14, 15]. The ND are an excellent tool available to growers and the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages; however, proper management on a daily basis is required if they are to perform as intended. The objective of this study is to determine how birds perform on different WFR during brooding and growing periods and different WFR impacts on litter condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was conducted in the Valley of Zamorano, Honduras, at an altitude of 800 m above sea level in compliance with poultry management guidelines of the Institutional Committee for Care and Use of Experimental Animals of the Escuela Agricola Panamericana/Zamorano. A total of 3,136 day-old male Arbor Acres [16] broiler chicks obtained from a commercial hatchery were placed in litter pens in an opensided, naturally ventilated broiler house using a daily photoperiod of 23L:1D. Each of the 56 study pens ( m) contained 56 chicks each, housed at a stocking density of 12 birds/m 2. The 7 treatments were randomly assigned within

3 60 JAPR: Research Report each of 8 blocks in a randomized complete block design. The entire house was heated by gas space heaters. Each pen contained a 2 m stick of 12 Val- Co [2] nipple drinkers and 2 tube feeders. Each drinker unit had a regulator system on one end. The numbers of birds per drinker were much less than the manufacturers recommendations for commercial applications to ensure adequate chick access to drinkers. All nipple drinkers were managed and operated according to each manufacturers specifications especially with regard to water pressure and nipple height from the floor. Diets and water were consumed ad libitum. The 7 treatments evaluated were the following: T1, water flow of 50 ml/min (standard flow nipple, green o-ring VO140G) [2] from 1 to 42 d age; T2, water flow of 75 ml/min (high flow nipple, black o-ring VO140B) [2] from 1 to 42 d age; T3, water flow of 100 ml/min (extra high flow nipple, red o-ring VO140R) [2] from 1 to 42 d age; T4, water flow of 120 ml/min (extra high flow nipple) [2] from 1 to 42 d age; T5,waterflowof50mL/minfrom1to7dthen incrementing the flow to 75 ml/min from 8 to 42 d age (standard flow nipple); T6, water flow of 75 ml/min from 1 to 7 d then incrementing the flow to 100 ml/min from 8 to 42 d age (high flow nipple); and T7, water flow of 100 ml/min then incrementing to 120 ml/min from 8 to 42 d age (extra high flow nipple). Water flow for each treatment was calibrated using the Lott water flow measuring device [17]. BW, feed consumption, adjusted FCR, weight gain, water usage, percent pen litter moisture, and percent litter moisture under the nipple drinkers as per AOAC [18] were determined by pen at 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 d age. Mortality (MO) was recorded daily. Water usage was recorded by directly attaching a L plastic container to a stick of 12 nipples. The difference between the amounts of water added to each container during the period less the amount remaining at the end of the period was considered as the water used by the birds through that particular stick of nipples. All plastic containers were covered with lids to deter any water loss through evaporation. Percent pen litter moisture was determined by collecting 5 samples in different areas of the pen from each pen, excluding the area under the ND. The 5 samples where then mixed to form one homogenous sample and submitted for moisture analysis. Percent litter moisture under the ND determination followed the same procedures with the only difference that 3 samples were taken from under the ND in different areas. Statistical Analysis Data were analyzed by ANOVA using the general linear models procedures of SAS software [19]. Percentage data were subjected to arc sine square root of the percentage transformation, and treatment means were separated by least significant difference. A probability of P 0.05 was required for statement of significance. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Broiler Performance At 35 d, birds tended (P = 0.08) to have heavier BW when reared with ND with the higher flow rates (75, 100. and 120 ml/min) in comparison to those reared with ND with the lowest flow rate (50 ml/min) (Table 1). There were no other differences observed in BW due to ND treatment. Birds with increase BW results were reported by Miles et al. [20] who reported that birds supplied 75 ml/min water were heavier by 30 g over birds supplied 50 ml/min and 100 g heavier than birds provided 25 ml/min WFR. Carpenter et al. [21] conducted 3 trials to study the effects of high flow volume (HFV)(2.3 ml/s) ND versus low flow (LFV) (0.4 ml/s) ND on the productive performance of broiler chickens. In Trial 1 the only significant difference (P < 0.05) exhibited was in average male BW (1.87 kg HFV; 1.84 kg LFV). A highly significant difference (P < 0.01) was observed in average BW (1.75 kg HFV; 1.64 kg LFV) during Trial 2. Average BW difference during Trial 3 was highly significant at 42 d age but not at 49 d age. In this study we observed no significant differences for feed consumption among the different treatments (Table 2). Others have demonstrated that there is a relationship between feed and water usage [22, 23] No significant differences were observed for feed conversion among the different treatments

4 QUILUMBA ET AL.: NIPPLE DRINKERS FLOW RATE 61 Table 1. The effect of different WFR on broiler BW (g/bird). T , , ,462.2 T , , ,481.8 T , , ,497.3 T , , ,484.9 T , , ,438.9 T , , ,435.6 T , , ,473.1 P-value SEM T1 = Flow rate of 50 ml/min from 1 to 42 d age; T2 = Flow rate of 75 ml/min from 1 to 42 d age; T3 = Flow rate of 100 ml/min from 1 to 42dage;T4= Flow rate of 120 ml/min from 1 to 42 d age; T5 = Flow rate of 50 ml/min from 1 to 7 d then incrementing to 75 ml/min from 8 to 42 d age; T6 = Flow rate of 75 ml/min from 1 to 7 d then incrementing to 100 ml/min from 8 to 42 d age; T7 = Flow rate of 100 ml/min from 1 to 7 d then incrementing to 120 ml/min from 8 to 42 d age. Table 2. The effect of different WFR on cumulative broiler FC (g/bird). T , , , ,483.3 T , , , ,513.1 T , , , ,553.8 T , , , ,494.8 T , , , ,464.3 T , , , ,479.6 T , , , ,484.1 P-value SEM T1 = Flow rate of 50 ml/min from 1 to 42 d age; T2 = Flow rate of 75 ml/min from 1 to 42 d age; T3 = Flow rate of 100 ml/min from 1 to 42 dage;t4= Flow rate of 120 ml/min from 1 to 42 d age; T5 = Flow rate of50ml/minfrom1to7dthenincrementingto75ml/minfrom8to42 dage;t6= Flow rate of 75 ml/min from 1 to 7 d then incrementing to 100 ml/min from 8 to 42 d age; T7 = Flow rate of 100 ml/min from 1 to 7 d then incrementing to 120 ml/min from 8 to 42 d age. throughout the duration of the study (Table 3). Carpenter et al. [21] conducted 3 trials to study the effects of HFV (2.3 ml/s) ND versus LFV (0.4 ml/s) ND on the productive performance of broiler chickens. No differences were observed for FCR between the 2 treatments. No significant differences were observed for cumulative mortality among the different treatments throughout the duration of the study (Table 4). Cumulative Water Usage Significant increases in water usage (P < 0.01), as measured by water flow, were observed among the treatments throughout the 42-d growing period (Table 5). Birds in treatments with flow rates of 100 and 120 ml/min and flow rates that were incremented from 75 to 100 ml/min and 100 to 120 ml/min utilized greater amounts of water as compared to the birds on the lower flow rates (50 and 75 ml/min).

5 62 JAPR: Research Report Table 3. The effect of different WFR on broiler cumulative feed conversion (g feed : g BW). T T T T T T T P-value SEM T1 = Flow rate of 50 ml/min from 1 to 42 d age; T2 = Flow rate of 75 ml/min from 1 to 42 d age; T3 = Flow rate of 100 ml/min from 1 to 42 d age; T4 = Flow rate of 120 ml/min from 1 to 42 d age; T5 = Flow rate of 50 ml/min from 1 to 7 d then incrementing to 75 ml/min from 8to42dage;T6= Flow rate of 75 ml/min from 1 to 7 d then incrementing to 100 ml/min from 8 to 42 d age; T7 = Flowrateof100mL/minfrom1to7dthenincrementingto 120 ml/min from 8 to 42 d age. Table 4. The effect of different WFR on broiler cumulative MO (%). T T T T T T T P-value SEM T1 = Flow rate of 50 ml/min from 1 to 42 d age; T2 = Flow rate of 75 ml/min from 1 to 42 d age; T3 = Flow rate of 100 ml/min from 1 to 42 d age; T4 = Flow rate of 120 ml/min from 1 to 42 d age; T5 = Flow rate of 50 ml/min from 1 to 7 d then incrementing to 75 ml/min from 8to42dage;T6= Flow rate of 75 ml/min from 1 to 7 d then incrementing to 100 ml/min from 8 to 42 d age; T7 = Flowrateof100mL/minfrom1to7dthenincrementingto 120 ml/min from 8 to 42 d age. Pen Litter Moisture A significant decrease (P < 0.01) was observed for litter moisture for the second wk of the growing period (Figure 1). The treatment with the lowest water flow rate 50 ml/min had the lowest percent litter moisture in comparison to the other treatments. No significant differences were found among the treatments for the remainder of the study. This difference may be attributed to the birds not consuming more water but possibly that the increased water usage was due to wastage and not consumption thereby increasing litter moisture in the pens that had nipples drinkers with HFV. Alternatively, larger birds may consume more water and therefore excrete and respire more water or moisture into the environment and litter. Litter Moisture Beneath Nipple Waterers Significant differences (P < 0.01) were observed among treatments starting from the fourth wk of the growing period (Figure 2). In general, as WFR increased the litter moisture beneath the nipples increased as well. This may be important under commercial conditions. Increases in litter moisture, even beneath the nipple drinkers, might contribute to increased foot pad dermatitis. This could be considered a negative effect on bird welfare and also potentially resulting in down-graded paws in the processing plant. As the growing period was coming to an end, litter moisture under the nipple drinkers decreased. As birds become heavier they will utilize larger amounts of water becoming more efficient in utilizing water from ND with greater flow rates decreasing the amount of water wastage onto the litter lowering the percent litter moisture under the drinkers. In addition, larger birds produce greater amount of heat thus warming the litter and drying it. CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATIONS 1) As birds become heavier, they attempt to utilize larger amounts of water from ND with greater WFR. However, there were no differences in bird performance as a function of WFR. Therefore, it is possible the increase in water usage was manifested as increased wastage. 2) As WFR increase, litter moisture under the ND initially increased but then decreased as the birds aged.

6 QUILUMBA ET AL.: NIPPLE DRINKERS FLOW RATE 63 Table 5. The effect of different WFR on broiler water utilization (ml/bird). T b 1,005.3 c 2,108.4 c 3,694.9 b 5,647.2 c 7,786.4 b T b 1,041.8 b,c 2,245.4 b,c 3,902.5 b 5,939.5 b 8,093.4 b T a 1,285.8 a 2,579.3 a 4,308.1 a 6,435.9 a 8,767.2 a T a 1,273.3 a 2,581.5 a 4,339.5 a 6,517.6 a 8,887.3 a T b 1,014.8 c 2,177.6 c 3,816.1 b 5,878.3 b,c 8,143.9 b T b 1,147.8 a,b,c 2,443.2 a,b 4,124.2 a 6,223.4 a 8,516.4 a T a,b 1,167.2 a,b 2,418.2 a,b 4,150.6 a 6,316.6 a 8,645.5 a P-value SEM T1 = Flow rate of 50 ml/min from 1 to 42 d age; T2 = Flow rate of 75 ml/min from 1to42dage;T3= Flow rate of 100 ml/min from 1 to 42 d age; T4 = Flow rate of 120 ml/min from 1 to 42 d age; T5 = Flow rate of 50 ml/min from 1 to 7 d then incrementing to 75 ml/min from 8 to 42 d age; T6 = Flow rate of 75 ml/min from 1 to 7 d then incrementing to 100 ml/min from 8 to 42 d age; T7 = Flow rate of 100mL/minfrom1to7dthenincrementingto120mL/minfrom8to42dage. a c Means in columns without common superscript are significantly different (P < 0.01). Figure 1. Pen litter moisture. Symbols ( P<0.001) indicate significant difference between the moisture level at different flow rates. 3) Litter moisture beneath the nipple drinkers increased as WFR increased. While food pads condition was not monitored in this trial, increased litter moisture is linked to increased foot pad dermatitis. 4) While increased WFR was not beneficial under the conditions of this trial, potential benefits of increased WFR should be tested under conditions of potential heat stress. 5) The use of high WFR nipples should include increased ventilation rates to mediate increased litter moisture beneath nipple drinkers.

7 64 JAPR: Research Report Figure 2. Litter moisture under nipple drinkers. Symbols ( P < 0.01; P < 0.001) indicate significant difference between the different flow rates. REFERENCES AND NOTES 1. Manning, L., S. A. Chadd, and R. N. Baines Water consumption in broiler chickens: A welfare indicator. World s Poult. Sci. 63: Val-Co Products, Lancaster, PA. 3. Austic, R. E., Poultry Production. 13th ed. Lea and Febiger Publishing Company, Philadelphia, PA. 4. Andrews, L. D., Performance of broilers using plastic hanging waterers vs. troughs. Poult. Sci. 53: Andrews, L. D., Performance of broilers reared on two different types of waterers. Poult. Sci. 57: Andrews, L. D., and G. C. Harris Broiler performance and type of watering equipment. Poult. Sci. 54: Pesti, G. M., S. V. Amato, and L. R. Minear Water consumption of broiler chickens under commercial conditions. Poult. Sci. 64: McMasters, J. D. Jr., G. C. Jr. Harris, and T. L. Goodwin An evaluation of the nipple water system for broilers. Poult. Sci. 48: McMasters, J. D. Jr., G. C. Jr. Harris, and T. L. Goodwin Effects of nipple and trough watering systems on broiler performance. Poult. Sci. 50: Dodgen, W. H., and G. C. Jr. Harris Effects of number of birds per nipple waterer on broiler performance. Poult. Sci. 50: Vest, L. R., Management of closed water systems for poultry. Poult. Sci. 65(Suppl): Peterson, R. A., W. T. Jones, and R. L. Ilardi, Effects of satellite chick waterers in conjunction with nipple drinkers on the productive performance of chicks. Poult. Sci. 65(Suppl): Carpenter, G. H., R. A. Peterson, and W. T. Jones Effects of presence or absence of satellite chick waterers in conjunction with nipple drinkers on the mortality and productive performance of broiler chicks from young and old dams. Poult. Sci. 59: Goan, C. H., Management of Nipple Watering Systems for Broilers. University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service. PB Lott, B. D., J. D. May, J. D. Simmons, and S. L. Branton The effect of nipple height on broiler performance. Poult. Sci. 80: Avigen, Huntsville, AL. 17. Miles, D. M., B. D. Lott, S. L. Branton, and J. D. Simmons Development of a water stick to measure nipple waterer flow rates. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 13: AOAC Official Methods of Analysis. 15th ed. Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Washington, DC. 19. SAS Institute SAS/STAT User s Guide. Release 9.1 ed., SAS Inst., Cary, NC. 20. Miles, D. M., J. D. Simmons, and B. D. Lott Water requirements and supply from flow rates for broiler production. Poult. Sci. 82(Suppl.):103.

8 QUILUMBA ET AL.: NIPPLE DRINKERS FLOW RATE Carpenter, G. H., R. A. Peterson, W. T. Jones, K. R. Daly, and W. A. Hypes Effects of two nipple drinker types with different flow rates on the productive performance of broiler chickens during summer-like growing conditions. Poult. Sci. 71: Georgia Water usage and broiler performance. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science. April 2001 Vol. 13, No Lott, B. D., W. A. Dozier, J. D. Simmons, and W. B. Roush Water flow rates in commercial broiler houses. Poult. Sci. 82(Suppl.):102.