Water quality

Water quality can be compromised if it contains unfavourable levels of mineral substances such as iron, magnesium, calcium and sulphates. Uncontrolled levels of such substances can adversely affect birds’ digestion, while magnesium and calcium can cause build-up of scale in water lines and equipment. Borehole water often contains high levels of these substances.

Water hygiene

In a poultry environment, whether indoor or outdoor, water which appears to be clean often harbours high populations of disease-causing micro-organisms (pathogens).

These pathogens thrive in water, decreasing quality and causing further knock-on effects:

Poor water quality = poor consumption = poor performance = poor profit

Pathogens

Pathogenic organisms which can be found within the water systems on poultry units are:

Bacteria:
Campylobacter
E.coli
Salmonella
Stapylococcus
Pseudomonas

Viruses:
Avian influenza strains
Newcastle Disease

Bio-film

In addition to populations of bacteria, viruses and fungi, build up of bio-film is common in poultry drinker systems.

Bio-film is a woven matrix of micro-organisms. It is essentially a dynamic colony of micro-organisms attached to the inner surfaces of the water system which can also be described as slime.