EFFECT OF COCONUT WATER ON RECTAL TEMPERATURE, HEART RATE AND RESPIRATORY RATE IN BROILER CHICKENS FED COCONUT WATER DURING GROWING PHASE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.6688Keywords:
Broilers, Heat stress, Environment, Coconut water, Physiological parametersAbstract
The efficacy of coconut water (CW) in reducing the unfavourable effects of heat stress in broiler chickens were determined via the determination of rectal temperature (RT), heart rate (HR) and, respiratory rate (RR) during growth phase. Twenty-four, 3-week old broilers were offered either: 0, 25 or 50% CW in drinking water from day 2Ito day 49. There were 4 replicates per treatment. Data on RT, HR and RR were collected during weeks 5 and 7 of the experiment when the effects of heat stress are expected to have become noticeable. Data on RT, HR and RR in both experiments were subjected to one-way analysis of variance. Results showed that RT and HR of birds were significantly lower (P<0.05) in birds offered CW in drinking water. RR was not affected (P> 0.05) by treatment. Coconut water is effective in reducing RT: and HR but not RR.
