Water consumption in growing pheasants

Daily water consumption in pheasants varied from 240 ml per kg at three weeks of age to 80 ml per kg at 12 weeks. Variations in temperatures within the range 10 to 25 degrees C exerted little influence on water intake. The amount of water consumed increased at a given age as dietary protein level increased. Only a small increase (14 per cent) in water intake accompanied a more than doubled increase in the normal dietary salt level. Total daily water intakes were similar in pheasants fed three times a day and in those fed ad libitum but their patterns of consumption throughout the day were widely different.