HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Grizzle, J. M. Articles by Saxton, A. M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Grizzle, J. M. Articles by Saxton, A. M.

Water Quality II: The Effect of Water Nitrate and Bacteria on Broiler Growth Performance

Department of Animal Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37760; Phone: (423) 974-7243; FAX: (423) 974-7448

Correspondence: J. M. Grizzle

Broiler chickens exposed to water sources contaminated with nitrate-nitrogen (1.90, 2.72, 3.55, or 5.19 mg/L) and added coliform bacteria (500 CFU/mL Escherichia coli or 100 CFU/mL Enterobacter cloacae) exhibited reduced (P<. 05) body weights at 4 and 6 wk of age. Enterobacter cloacae was the most resilient under commercial-type housing conditions, as reflected by higher bacterial counts at the nipple drinker. Water treatment did not affect feed or water consumption. Both thymus and bursa weight increased (P<. 05) as level of nitrate and exposure to bacteria increased. Liver and spleen weights were not affected (P>. 05) by water treatment. This study further confirms the nonpathogenic but adverse effects of low-level water nitrate and bacterial contamination on broiler performance.

Key Words: Broiler • E. coli • Ent. Cloacae • nitrate • water quality