Effect of dietary sodium chloride, protein, and strain difference upon water consumption and fecal moisture content of broiler breeder males.

Water consumption of birds and moisture content and water-holding capacity of feces were determined for caged immature broiler breeder males of Strains A and B. Both strains were fed a commercial type corn-soy diet containing 16% protein and .35% sodium chloride. The breeder males of Strain A were also fed different levels of dietary proteins (12, 14, 16, and 18%) for 3 weeks and sodium chloride (0, .17, .35, and .70%) for 3 weeks to evaluate the effect on the criteria listed. A commercial type feeding and water restriction program was used. Strain A males consumed more water and had a significantly greater moisture content and a significantly reduced moisture-holding capacity of feces than did Strain B males when fed the same diet. The dietary levels of salt used had no effect on water consumption (off feed day), fecal moisture, or water holding capacity of the feces in strain A males. Water consumption on feed day significantly increased as dietary salt increased. Although decreasing dietary protein below 16% had no influence on water consumption, it did significantly decrease fecal moisture and increase the water-holding capacity of feces. It was concluded that strain differences in water consumption exist and that the large quantity of water consumed and high fecal moisture content of Strain A males was not related to dietary salt or protein.