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Influence of Water Provision to Chicks Before Placement and Effects on Performance and Incidence of Unabsorbed Yolk Sacs¹

B. D. Fairchild^*,2, J. K. Northcutt, J. M. Mauldin^*, R. J. Buhr, L. J. Richardson and N. A. Cox

^* Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens 30602; and Poultry Processing and Poultry Microbiological Safety Research Units, USDA-ARS, Athens, GA 30604

² Corresponding author: email brianf{at}uga.edu

A study was conducted to determine the effect of water provision to chicks before placement on performance and the incidence of unabsorbed yolk sacs. To accomplish this, a device was used that was designed to deliver water to chicks in chick baskets during holding at the hatchery and transportation to the growout house. Commercial chicks were obtained from the hatchery and held for either 24 or 48 h with or without access to water before placement. Chicks were then distributed into floor pens with ad libitum access to feed and water. At 6 wk of age, broilers were processed, and intestines were evaluated for presence or absence of an unabsorbed yolk sac and intestinal breaking strength. Body weight at placement was 2 to 6 g greater for chicks given access to water; however, this difference was not observed at any other time during the growout. Water provision during holding had no affect on feed consumption, mortality, or the birds’ ability to completely absorb the yolk sac during the 6 wk growout. Incidence of unabsorbed yolk sacs in 6 wk old birds ranged from 15 to 28%. Moreover, presence or absence of an unabsorbed yolk sac had no effect on intestinal breaking strength. Data from the present study demonstrates that providing chicks with water before placement does not influence performance, intestinal breaking strength, or the incidence of unabsorbed yolk sacs.

Key Words: broiler • water • unabsorbed yolk • chick

¹ The use of trade names in this publication does not imply endorsement by the University of Georgia of the products mentioned nor criticism of similar products not mentioned.