Water quality on broiler farms in Southwestern Nigeria and its impact on performance, meat quality and safety

I. A. Okere; A. K. Tiamiyu; O. A. Morakinyo; M. O. Oladele-Bukola; T. Omodele

Authors

Okere I. A. Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, P.M.B. 5029, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Tiamiyu A. K. Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, P.M.B. 5029, Ibadan, Nigeria.
O. A. Morakinyo Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, P.M.B. 5029, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Oladele Bukola M. O. Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, P.M.B. 5029, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Omodele T. Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, P.M.B. 5029, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Keywords:

Average acceptance level; Body weight at market, Broiler farms, Meat quality and Water sources

Abstract

The aim was to comprehend from field survey of broiler farms with different water sources which water quality indicator(s) affect broiler meat production. The classes for the water quality indicators were: (a) Low, (b) Medium (c) High. Performance criteria were: body weight at market (kg), age at market weight (days) and price at market weight (? ). Commonly used water sources by broiler farmers in Ekiti and Oyo states were water from wells (54.4%) and boreholes (29.1%). Tested borehole-water samples in the two states had 0.02mg/l of Iron concentration being undesirable (Low) compared to 0.2mg/l Iron in the “Drinking Water Quality Standard for Poultry” (DWQSP). The Lead concentration in the well-water of the two states had 0.04mg/l being undesirable (High) compared to 0.02mg/l in DWQSP. The bacteria for borehole (3.26 cfu/ml) and well-water (0.9 cfu/ml) were desirable (Medium) compared to 102 cfu/ml in DWQSP. The fresh skin and flesh (meat) of broiler carcasses had <103 cfu/g (Salmonella and E. coli counts) and <105 cfu/g (Total plate count) within the acceptance limits. The tested water samples from wells and boreholes had (p<0.0001) positive correlations among the performance criteria. The correlation (R= 0.76) between price at market weight and body weight at market indicated significant economic value placed on broilers with heavier body weight irrespective of the Water source, its Iron, lead and bacterial concentrations as water quality indicators.