Microbiological profile of different sources of drinking water offered to commercial broiler chicken during monsoon season

Abstract

A study was carried out to investigate the effect of water from five different sources on the microbiological parameters of broiler chicken. Among the different sources, the total bacterial load was higher in pond water. However, after treatment, microbiological qualities (total viable count, total E. coli count and total coliform count) of all the sources of water under study were found to be reduced. The rain water was free from E. coli. The average total water consumption (l/bird) of broiler chicken offered untreated pond water was lowest (12.055) and it was highest for bore well water (14.560). However, after treatment of water the total water consumption per bird increased numerically for all the groups. The overall water/ feed consumption ratio of broiler chicken offered different sources of water ranged from 3.67-4.07 wherein, it was lowest for untreated pond water (3.67) and highest for untreated rain water (4.07).