The effects of alkaline water and rainwater on the production and health performance of commercial broilers under tropical conditions

Abstract

Water consumption of a broiler is affected by temperature and the absence or presence of some minerals which could affect its production. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the impact of giving alkaline water and rainwater on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and white blood cell changes of broilers under tropical condition. A total of 108 broiler birds (Cobb 500) were randomly divided into three treatment groups with six replicates consisting of six birds per replicate. Treatment 1 (control), 2 and 3 were provided with available tap water (pH 7.17), sodium bicarbonate alkaline water (pH 8.05) and chlorinated rainwater (pH 5.90), respectively. Throughout the 42-day study period, weekly body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were calculated to determine their growth performance. A total of six broilers were randomly selected on day 21 and 42 from each treatment group for blood samples collection via the brachial vein into anticoagulant (EDTA) blood tubes for white blood cell analysis. On day 42, the same broilers were slaughtered for carcass characteristics and meat quality assessment after blood sampling. Based on the results obtained, there were significant differences (p<0.05) on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and white blood cell responses among treatment groups. T2 broilers demonstrated a higher body weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency. As a result, the carcass traits and meat quality were also improved due to better growth performance. The immune response of T2 broilers was also enhanced via the drinking of sodium bicarbonate alkaline water. Contrariwise, T3 broilers exhibited the worst growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and white blood cell values compared to T2 and the control group. In conclusion, sodium bicarbonate alkaline water could be recommended as the main water source as it improves the overall production and health of the broilers.