Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A farm in Zimbabwe (Farm A) obtains its water for tbe poultry operations from tbe Makavusi River that is heavily contaminated with bacteria and performance results are thereby reduced. Anolyte is a Russian invention that claims to have bactericidal effects that could be beneficial to broilers. The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of Anolyte on production profits of broilers given water of poor quality by carrying out a number of trials. Trials that were conducted are basic in vitro tests on Anolyte within the laboratory, water analysis on water supply to the broiler section (both chemical and bacteriological), and a detailed trial within an experimental trial site comparing broiler performance results with different chemical water treatments and different dilutions of Anolyte. Broiler chicks from different hatcheries (Hatchery A and Hatchery B) were also compared. Performance results were based on growtb rate, mortality, feed conversion ratios (FCR), performance efficiency factors (PEF) and profit margin comparisons. Results showed that in tbe laboratory, Anolyte had an antibacterial activity. In the broiler performance trial on Hatchery B broilers, the live weights at forty two days of age in broilers given 15% Anolyte differed from other treatments (P<0.05) other than 10% Anolyte (P > 0.05). However, the FCR and mortalities did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatments. In the trial on Hatchery A broilers to 42 days of age, growth rates in broilers given 15% Anolyte differed from tbe control, Chematron and 20% Anolyte (P < 0.05). However, the FCR and mortalities did not differ between (P>0.05) treatments. In comparing chicks from different hatcheries, Hatchery B broilers differed (P < 0.05) from Hatchery A broilers in live weights at 42 days on 10% Anolyte, 15% Anolyte and on Chematron treatments. However, tbe cumulative mortalities and FCR did not differ (P > 0.05) between the Hatchery B and Hatchery A on any treatment. When comparing profitability, tbe treatment that had the greatest margin in comparison to tbe control (untreated drinking water) was 15% Anolyte for both tbe Hatchery B and Hatchery A trials. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Plaas in Zimbabwe, (Plaas A) verkry water, vir hul pluimvee bedryf vannuit die Makavusi rivier. Die rivier is swaar besmet met bakterië en as gevolg daarvan verhoed dit dat hulle hul volle opbrengs potential bereik. Anolyte is 'n Russiese uitvindsel wat aanspraak maak daarop dat dit bakteriëdodende effekte besit wat tot die bevordering van slaghoenders kan lei. Die doel van die navorsing is om Anolyte op proef te stel aangaande produksie profyt op slaghoenders waaraan swak kwaliteit water verskaf is. Verskeie toetse is uitgevoer n1. 'n basiese 'in vitro' toets in samewerking met die laboratorium, water ontleding op water wat aan die slaghoender seksies verskaf is (beide chemikalies and bakterieologies) asook 'n intensiewe proefnemeing waarin die verskeie obrengs resultate, van chemikaliese behandelde water en verskillende verdunnings van Anolyte, met mekaar vergely is, in 'n experimetele navorsings eenheid. Slaghoender kuikens van twee verskillende broeihuise (n1. Broeihuis A en Broeihuis B) is ook met mekaar vergelyk. Die resultate is gabasseer op groei tempo, sterftes, voer omsettings verhouding, opbrengs geskikthied faktore asook vergelykings op wins. Laboratorium navorsing het bevestig dat Anolyte wel antibakteriese aktiviteit getoon het. Terwyl in die proefneming op Broeihuis B slaghoenders, het die lewende gewig van hoenders, op 42 dae van ouderdom, waaraan 15% Anolyte verskaf is, verskil van ander behandelings (P<0.05) met die uitsondering van 10% Annolyte (P>0.05). Alhoewel die voer omsetting verhoudings en sterftes nie in die verskillende behandelings verskil het nie. In die proefnemeing op Broeihuis A slaghoenders tot 42 dae van ouderdom, het die ontwikkeling van slaghoenders, waaraan 15% Anolyte verskaf is, verskil van die kontiole, Chematron en 20% Anolyte. Die voer omsettings verhoudings en sterftes het egter geen verskil getoon tussen die verskeie behandelings nie. Resultate van die vergelyking tussen die kuikens uit die twee verskillende broeihuise, het getoon dat die Broeihuis A en Broeihuis B lewensgewigte, op 42 dae van ouderdom, wel met mekaar verskil het met 10% Anolyte, 15% Anolyte sowel as die Chematron behandelings. Daar was egter geen verskil, (P>O.05) tussen die twee tipes aangaande elke tipe se saamgestelde sterftes en die voer omsettings verhoudings, in welke behandeling nie. Die vergelykings op wins het getoon dat die behandeling met die grootste brulo marge, die was van 15% Anolyte in vergelyking met die kontiole (onbehandelde drinkwater) vir beide die Broeihuis A en die Broeihuis B proefnemings.