IMPACT OF WATER INTAKE ON EGG PRODUCTION IN LAYING BIRDS

Water is considered the most important nutrient for poultry; it is so important that it impacts virtually every physiological function in a bird's body. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of water intake on the quantity and quality of egg production in laying birds.
A total of 230 Isa brown hens (58 weeks of age), initially purchased from CHI Farms and reared in a deep litter system, were acclimatized and randomly divided into three (3) groups (A, B, C) and in three replicates of 25 hens each (A1, A2, A3; B1, B2, B3; C1, C2, C3). Birds in each replicate were fed a standard layer ration of 100g per day. Water intake was calculated per group at the ratio of feed to water ratio. Group A was given a feed: water ratio of 1:2, Group B was given a feed: water ratio of 1:3, and Group C was given a feed: water ratio of 1:5. The study was carried out for 8 weeks.
Group B, given a feed-water ratio of 1:3, significantly experienced an increase in the percentage of egg production (A- 58.60%, B- 78.42% and C- 69.66%), egg size uniformity and quality across all the weeks when compared with other groups, especially group A given a feed-water ratio of 1:2.
It was also observed in group C, given a feed-water ratio of 1:5, that an increase in the water intake above 100% without a subsequent increase in feed intake results in a significant reduction in egg production percentage. 
It can be concluded that laying birds fed with a feed-water ratio of 1:3 had better results than other groups, which shows that consistent water-to-feed ratios are more critical for sustaining peak egg production.