Effect of Water Deprivation on Egg Production and Egg Quality

Part of a flock of laying birds at peak-production were accidentally subjected to a 48 hour period of water deprivation. Egg production declined to 4% within 6 days, remained at this level for some 7 days and then returned to normal within another 14 days. Through this period, significantly higher Haugh unit and albumen height values were recorded for the water deprived birds. In subsequent periods, water deprived birds produced eggs with significantly lower egg shell deformation values. On a long-term basis, water deprivation had no detrimental effect on any of the parameters measured. That some birds were not affected by the water deficit suggests that genetical factors may be involved in avian water metabolism.