Effect of Withholding Feed and Water on Early Poult Mortality and Growth

The severe loss of poults between the fifth and twelfth days after hatching is partially attributed to lack of water (Hammond 1944). Retarded growth, slimy gizzard lining that frequently forms a ball which plugs the opening to the duodenum, and absence of specific infection are typical water starvation symptoms. Withholding of feed for a period of 96 hours resulted in 40 percent mortality during the first 2 weeks of age while a 24 hour withholding time produced a mortality of only 8 percent. Our laboratories have been investigating the factors responsible for high mortality and irregularity in poult growth during the early growing period of turkey poults EXPERIMENTAL This experiment was outlined to determine the influence of withholding feed and water on rate of growth and mortality of turkey poults up to 12 weeks of age. Bronze turkey poults were used during these studies. They were divided into uniform groups . . .