The game bird industry has progressed hugely over the last decade with increased understanding of rearing requirements. Much emphasis has been placed upon maximising potential through nutrition – however one key nutrient is sometimes overlooked: water. Birds typically consume 2-3 times more water than feed, although this can vary significantly according to environmental conditions. Water provides a breeding ground and means of transport for bacteria, fungi and viruses (including avian influenza) to get into the digestive tract. A recent shift in acceptance of prophylactic medication has encouraged all game bird producers to concentrate on increasing flock bio-security and management; after all preventing disease is cheaper than treating it, and prevention is certainly less stressful, both for the birds and the people that rear them!

Widespread testing of commercial UK flocks frequently demonstrates that water sources are heavily contaminated with bacteria. Counts in excess of 10000 TVC (total viable count of bacteria) per ml of water are common, even though most vets agree that contamination levels over 500 TVC per ml can present potential health problems.

So, what can clean water achieve? First and foremost ensuring clean water at point of consumption reduces intake of potential pathogens which can have major detrimental effects on productivity, health and welfare. Extensive field trials have demonstrated that contaminated water, in addition to being a health risk, suppresses bird performance. Providing birds with clean water has been shown to boost egg yield, and improve growth and feed conversion rates. In addition, using Aqualution has been shown to have several management benefits: it removes slimy biofilm from inside water pipes and equipment, which reduces the need for cleaning; it drastically reduces the build up of algae on drinking equipment and it reduces lime scale deposits in hard water areas.

Independent testing has shown that water treated with Aqualution has complete efficacy to British Disinfectant Standard against a range of problem pathogens, including Salmonella, Pseudomonas, E. coli and Campylobacter. Aqualution is also effective against viruses, including avian influenza and Newcastle’s disease, and is noted under the EU Biocidal Products Directive. The product is stable, potable and non-toxic, and is added to water systems at low volumes, typically between 5 and 10%. Aqualution can be added to the water system directly into header tanks/drinkers, or administered via a suitable pump (e.g. Dosatron). Recent field trials have also indicated that Aqualution can be used effectively as a disinfectant: in undiluted form, it has been proven as a disinfectant at a leading UK game bird hatchery: prior to disinfecting, swabs taken from the floor, work surfaces, setters, hatchers and fans indicated high levels of contamination. However, after disinfecting with Aqualution, swabs indicated no organism growth. This potency is particularly exciting given that Aqualution is classed as a potable biocide, and proves the point that it is highly effective but also non-toxic and completely safe for the birds, the environment and anyone handling it.