Learn: Why water quality is so important in poultry

Water quality in poultry

Water quality is very important for producers and depending on its source, water can carry impurities, some minerals and chemical compounds.

Water composition varies with geographical region as the nature of the geological make up changes.

Poultry producers who have access to purified water are spared but for most producers, poor water quality may interfere with digestion and subsequent bird performance.

water quality is important.

The effectiveness of vaccines and medications administered through water lines could be reduced when water quality is poor. Water contaminants could create equipment problems that would restrict the amount of water available for consumption especially for farmers using nipple drinkers.

Poor water quality could also cause leaky pipes which will in turn wet the litter and lead to increased ammonia production. Poor litter and high levels of ammonia can cause reduced performance.

Standards for water quality should therefore include factors that affect taste, solid build-up within water systems and toxicity.

Important water quality factors that should be observed for poultry production include:

• Color (water is colorless and any color in the water may indicate increased contamination levels)

• Turbidity (particles such as silt, clay sand or organic matter suspension can cause water to appear cloudy or muddy Turbid water can cause low water consumption in birds and may clog drinking nipples)

• Hardness (calcium and magnesium salt can cause water to be hard and can cause sludge built up in water lines. Hardness interferes with the administration of some medicines)

• Minerals (deposition of these along water lines will damage equipment)

• Bacteria (the presence of bacteria negatively affects the health of the birds causing mortalities and in some instances causing diseases).