Factors affecting water intake and its utilisation by chickens

Water is essential for life and should be regarded as a major factor in poultry rearing and management. The following is a review of some aspects related to water intake and utilisation that should be considered when attempting to achieve better performance. Factors affecting water intake Water source There is a strong relationship between water acidity/alkalinity and the depth of wells from which water is extracted. At 30 metres deep, water was found to be acidic, while in depths of 100 metr