Don Bell has released Part 19 of the National Flock Performance Study which documents water consumption. Records derived from 167 U.S. flocks yielded an average of 4.74 gallons per 100 hens per day for flocks aged 19 through 60 weeks.
This value compares to 5.03 gallons per 100 hens per day obtained in the previous 1997 review of 38 flocks. The lower figure may relate to increased use of more efficient nipples which are less prone to leaking than cups or alternative drinking systems which may have been included in the earlier study.
For further information contact Bell at [email protected].
