@article{4134,
  keywords = {floor husbandry, poultry, foot pad dermatitis, plumage},
  author = {L Klambeck and F Kaufmann and J Kämmerling and N Kemper and R Andersson},
  title = {Effect of two different additional water sources on health and welfare parameters in farmed Pekin ducks (Anas platyrhynchos f. d.)},
  abstract = {The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of two open water sources on health and welfare parameters in Pekin ducks. The experiments were conducted on two commercial farms. Fattening stables on both farms differed regarding type of water supply and flooring systems: group 1: nipple drinkers (partly slatted floor), groups 2 (partly slatted floor) and 3 (straw bedded floor): additionally certain modified cup drinkers, and group 4 (straw bedded floor): additionally troughs. During the fattening n = 100 randomly selected birds per group were scored regarding condition of integument on three sampling dates. Water from the different sources was analysed for bacterial counts. The trial was repeated four times. The water source affected conditions of foot pads (P ≤ 0.0001). Birds with access to nipple drinkers only showed the highest foot pad scores at the end of the fattenings, whereas ducks in group 4 showed the best foot pad conditions (P ≤ 0.0001). The water source affected plumage condition (P ≤ 0.0001). Ducks provided with nipple drinkers had a cleaner plumage at the end of the fattenings than all other groups (P ≤ 0.0001). Higher bacterial counts were found in both water resources when compared to the nipple drinkers. Therefore, it may be expedient to provide nipple drinkers for drinking water supply in Pekin ducks and additional open water sources for welfare purposes. Production systems with an additional water supply may challenge the livestock owner as ducks face poorer biosecurity. Thus, production systems with additional open water sources require an intensive management. The results of the current study give an applied and practical insight on the effect of additional water supplies on different health and welfare parameters. However, further studies are needed when investigating detailed risk factors as farm effects could not be considered in the current study. },
  year = {2017},
  journal = {Berliner und Münchener Tierärztliche Wochenschrift},
  volume = {130},
  edition = {5/6},
  pages = {273-280},
  month = {11/2017},
  publisher = {Schlütersche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG},
  address = {Hannover},
  issn = {0005-9366},
  doi = {10.2376/0005-9366-16028},
  language = {English},
}