Drinking behaviour of broiler chicks

Abstract

A study of drinking behaviour of individual broiler breeder chicks from hatching to 5 weeks of age was conducted. The action patterns involved in obtaining a drink as well as water consumption were described quantitatively and qualitatively. Over the experimental period, the action patterns of drinking were modified gradually. Marked changes in immersion angle, swallowing angle and distance from the waterer were evident. All birds made progressively fewer trips to the waterer to take a larger number of higher volume drinks. This information is essential for future design of improved watering equipment to better complement the natural drinking behaviour of broiler chickens.