Studies on water restriction in caged layers

Abstract

This thesis embodies the results of investigation carried out to study the efficacy of water restriction as a means of controlling manurial moisture among caged layers. The effects of water restriction on the other productive traits were also studied. Single Comb White Leghorn pullets housed in individual cages formed the experimental subjects. Two methods of water restriction namely, continues and intermittent were employed. Restricting the watering time resulted in significant reduction in manurial moisture content. Intermittent restriction was found to be superior in respect of feed efficiency. Feed consumption and water consumption were more with birds on ad libitum water than restricted birds. Hen-day egg production was essentially same for all the groups. The birds in all the treatments maintained normal body weight through out the experimental period. Internal egg quality traits such as per cent shell, per cent thin albumen, per cent thick albumen, per cent total albumen and per cent yolk showed no change attributable to treatments. Packed cell volume and proximate composition of droppings were comparable for all treatments. However, egg weight was lower for the water restricted groups. On the basis of these results it was concluded that restricting water intake among caged layers could be used as a means of controlling manurial moisture. However, its impact on egg weight should be borne in mind while advocating this system.