Consequences of Depriving Laying Hens of Water a Short Time

Performances of two successive flocks of White Leghorn type layers, housed in the same cage house, and both accidentally subjected to short-term (48–72 hr.) water deprivation were observed. Egg production by the first flock was down for 7–8 weeks thereafter. The second flock of deprived birds partially compensated for low productivity for 8 weeks by laying more than the continuously watered birds did during a 21-wk. post-recovery period. Water deprivation increased mortality, particularly for one week.