Water is an important nutrient, as its intake is significantly higher than feeds (around 1.7 times in temperate climate, 3 times or more sometimes in tropical weather). Therefore, water is the first intake for a chicken. Water must be always clean, clear, fresh, tasteless and free of any contaminants. It is also an important part of a farm biosecurity plan due to its influence on birds’ performance. The birds must have free access to water (ad libitum) during all their life.
Shortage of water can have a negative impact on feed conversion. If the birds have no access to water, they will not eat as well. It is also important to take wasted water into consideration as it might become a breeding ground for harmful pathogens and fungi. It can also have a negative impact on litter quality, which in turn can lead to disease incidence and other health risks. Water hygiene must be considered as an integral part of any biosecurity program. Part of this must include regular water quality checks which focus on measuring both dissolved salts and, maybe more importantly, bacterial contamination. Water wells should be checked more regularly than the human water system.
Table 1 : MEASURES TO DO & ACCEPTABLE PARAMETERS (E.U. or O.M.S. norms)
| Good quality | Do not use | |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.5 – 6.5 | < 4 and > 8 |
| Hardness (mg/L) | < 150 | > 500 |
| Ammonia (mg/L) | < 0.5 | > 0.5 |
| Nitrite (mg/L) | < 0.5 | > 0.5 |
| Nitrate (mg/L) | < 50 | > 50 |
| Chloride (mg/L) | < 250 | > 1 250 |
| Sodium (mg/L) | < 200 | > 1 000 |
| Sulfate (mg/L) | < 250 | > 500 |
| Iron (mg/L) | < 0.2 | > 1.0 |
| Manganese (mg/L) | < 0.05 | > 0.4 |
| Organic matter (mg/L) | < 2 | > 5 |
| H2S (mg/L) | Non detectable | Non detectable |
| Salmonella | Non detectable | Non detectable |
| Coliforms (CFU/ml) | Zero | > 50 |
| Total germ count (CFU/ml) | < 100 | > 100 |
An annual full analysis of all the criteria mentioned above is mandatory. In tropical area, one full analysis during summer and one during the rainy season is recommended. Hard water should always be taken into account, because hardness promotes a higher pH, deposition of Ca or Mg into the pipes which can lead to higher risk of biofilm development and risk of low debit and obstruction. Many other contaminants should be checked from time to time, like heavy metals or pesticides… (especially with own water drilling).
TIPS FOR ENSURING GOOD WATER QUALITY
• Tip 1 – Check for biofilm development:
In many parts of the world, the levels of Total Dissolved Solids (T.D.S.) in the water are quite high, which increases the pH to the upper limit of acceptable levels. These salts, especially calcium, iron, manganese, or magnesium, can form deposits in the water pipes that can ultimately reduce water flow. Additionally, these will also encourage the build-up of biofilm in the pipes by providing attachment sites for bacteria to lodge. This living colony is protected by an accumulation of filamentous proteins excreted by some of the bacteria, which over time can also reduce the flow of water through the pipes.
The target is no deposition of salts to avoid the development of this biofilm. Based primarily on water T.D.S., if the level exceeds 1 000 ppm, it is necessary to introduce a comprehensive system to remove as much salt as possible. It depends on specific salts. Sometimes, it can be removed by using a coarse and vessel, but in another case, an addition of resin vessel after coarse sand is needed, and in extreme case, the addition of coal vessel after the two vessels mentioned above is needed to reach an acceptable T.D.S. Additionally, using acids and regular flushing of the pipes can help maintain quality.
• Tip 2 – Target optimal pH level:
Today, there is an ongoing debate over the ideal acidity/alkalinity of water, with current views leaning towards reducing the pH to the lower levels of pH 4 to 5. This preference is due to the fact that chicks have an immature gut, and the production of acids in the proventriculus and gizzard is reduced in the first seven to fourteen days. Experimental work showed that the pH level of the proventriculus ranged from 5.2 on day 1 to 3.5 on day 15, with a linear reduction between hatching and day 10 of age. Similarly, the pH in the gizzard dropped from 3.5 to 3.3 between day 1 and day 10, then, stabilizing at a pH of 3.3 at day 15. Proper care needs to be taken when acidifying water to ensure that the correct amount of acid is used to reach the desired pH of 4.5 of the drinking water, especially for young pullets. Failure to do this can result in either over-acidification of the water, which can hinder water intake and damage the equipment, or under-acidification, which can then provide an energy source to the bacteria residing in the water line.
An ideal pH is between 6.0 to 6.8 but laying hens can tolerate a wider range with values between 4.8 to 8.0. In fact, a pH less than 5.5 can even produce an improvement in growth parameters.
A pH level greater than 8.0 can impact water consumption (bitter taste), cause gastrointestinal disorders, promote bacterial growth, affect the effectiveness of sanitizers (for example, chlorine activity which works best between 4.5 to 6 pH), drugs and vaccines.
A pH level below 4.0 can harm vaccines, medications, water consumption and productive performance.
• Tip 3 – Apply water sanitation
To maintain water quality, it is advisable to use some form of water sanitation. The most common, effective, and cheapest method involves using chlorine or hydrogen peroxide, dosed either into a holding tank or directly into the house’s water system using a dosing machine.
Human water is usually chlorinated to a level of 3 ppm at the point of entry into the house. However, by the time water reaches the last drinker in the house, this may have reduced significantly depending on the cleanliness and any organic matter in the pipes. It may be advisable to increase the level of chlorination on farms at 5 ppm (25-30 ppm for peroxide) to offset this possible loss in efficiency. Sanitation must be checked every week.
• Tip 4 – Cleaning of the water system
The build-up of biofilm and salts deposition can be reduced during production by regularly flushing out water lines. This should be done under water pressure of between 1.5 and 3.0 bars. Flushing of water lines should be carried out at least once per week, and more often in hot climates to ensure good results. This will reduce the risk of parts of the biofilm breaking loose in the water pipes and causing an obstruction in the drinker valves, especially with nipples.
Example of lack of cleanliness and biosecurity in water pipeline
Between flocks, it is recommended to clean the full water system, using products that can remove both the biofilm and any limescale present. This often requires a two-strategy approach with a product such as hydrogen peroxide to remove the biofilm, and an acid product to remove the limescale in hard water areas.
Tip 5 – Check for water quality and contamination
Water should be tested frequently in order to ensure that its quality is stable, and that dosing equipment is functioning correctly. Many automatic equipment is doing a good sanitation at the beginning of the water system (or near the middle). However, at the end of the water lines, often, bacteriological quality is lower. Therefore, it is important to take a sample at the end of the water lines not at the beginning or in the middle of the house. For justification of safe water, it should be checked with a routine microbiological test, for example, every 2 weeks interval, which allow continuous screening with safety margin.
• Tip 6 – Water treatments / additives
Farmers all around the world often neglect this specific point. Many additives, such as therapeutic treatments, vitamins, microelements, pre/probiotics, acids, vaccines can be introduced through the water system. Some of them can sometimes create an obstruction and block the nipples. It is also important to consider the compatibility between your sanitation, this includes pH level and these supplementations, because using a probiotic with live bacteria and sanitation at the same time is not a good idea. After each specific treatment, it is recommended to flush all the water system, to remove all particles inside the pipes. Otherwise, the risk of accumulation and development of biofilm is increased.
• Tip 7 – Vaccination through water
Vaccination through water is common for pullets during the rearing period. Strictly follow the recommendation from the vaccine supplier when it comes to administration protocol to use it efficiently. For example, stop the chlorination one day before and one day after is after the administration of vaccine is often mandatory. Also, take into consideration the pH and T.D.S. because an inappropriate level can negatively affect the efficiency of vaccination. If you have any doubts, contact your vaccine supplier to discuss water quality required for their vaccine.
CONCLUSION
Water is an essential part of optimal flock performance. However, since water can transport pathogens into the poultry house, its quality and management are extremely important. Adding an enhanced acidifier product will deliver additional performance benefits as well as reducing the level of bacteria in the water. To guarantee the highest possible water quality, it is essential to implement a robust sanitation program, conduct regular testing, check for biofilm in pipes, and thoroughly clean the lines between flocks. It is also worth noting that if it is not possible for a human to drink water from a bird house without any trouble, the laying hens will be affected by this water as well.
