Most Essential Nutrient in Poultry Feed

Correct Answer: Water

Water is the most essential nutrient in poultry feed and overall nutrition. Even brief periods of water deprivation cause rapid and significant drops in egg production and body weight.

Why Water is Most Essential

• Water makes up approximately 65–70% of the body weight of poultry.
• A standard chicken egg contains 74% water.
• Water regulates body temperature (evaporative cooling via panting — poultry do not sweat).
• A layer hen needs approximately 200–300 mL of water per day.
• Deprivation of water for just 24 hours can take 2–3 weeks of production recovery.

Water Quality Standards

• Safe upper limit of salt in drinking water: 3,000 ppm
• Safe upper limit of fluoride: 2 ppm
• TDS ≤ 1,000 ppm considered good quality
• Daily water requirement for 100 hens: 20–30 litres