Water is a very important resources in poultry care though often it is being overlooked in favour of feed and housing – Just as the flock needs to be properly fed and sheltered in an ideal poultry house, clean water is also crucial to the health and productivity of the flock. The availability of clean water impact directly on the success of the poultry farm operations.
Water is an important resources but the emphasis is on clean water – having good quality water is what assists the farm to thrive as contaminated water is dangerous to the welfare of the flock. Using contaminated water (particularly for the feeding of the flock) can cause the following havoc
- Entry of diseases like coccidiosis among the flock
- Due to the possibility of disease entry among the flock the risk of high mortality is also being increased
- The entry and attack of diseases, reduces the productivity of the birds to lay eggs.
- Poor nutrient absorption leading to poor growth rate and weight gain
- continuous exposure to pathogens in the contaminated water weakens the flock immunity
- Entry of disease consequently lead to high cost in the flock healthcare management through expenses on treating ailments
Best farm practices to support providing clean water
Some best practices that can help the farmer in providing clean water on the farm include –
- Use reliable sources like bole-hole for the farm water supply, however, filter and proper treat water to remove contaminants.
- Regularly clean and disinfect storage tanks, pipes and drinkers to prevent biofilm and algae growth.
- Regular test water to ascertain quality in terms of PH, bacteria contamination and mineral content.
- Prevent water stagnation that could enhance microbial growth in the poultry house and around it.
- Use water additives wisely and avoid excessive use of chemicals that can alter the water quality.
- Regularly inspect water lines and pipes to quickly identify leaks that may cause wet litters and bacterial growth.
Benefits of using clean water for your poultry care
Ensuring the water used for your poultry care is clean and fresh is never an option, it is a must because of the vital role of water in the farm operation process. The following are some of the role and benefits of clean water to the farm operations and success:
- Regulate body temperature of the bird – The flock needs water to regulate body temperature and avoid heat stress particularly in very hot weather. Apart from the regulation of heat, the water also enhances the body metabolism of the birds.
- Egg production – in the layer birds, water is a crucial component for egg production – with adequate clean water, the bird is able to maintain levels for egg production.
- Disease prevention – The flock needs water to aid digestion process, however, it is the consumption of clean water that protects the flock against diseases caused by contaminated drink.
- Medication administration – Many times drugs are administered to the flock through a mix in water, however, administering drugs or vaccine with contaminated water makes the medication ineffective and inefficient.
It can never be overemphasized, clean water is indispensable in poultry care. The quality of water used impacts directly on the health, productivity, overall wellbeing and profitability of the flock. Giving priority to providing clean water for the farm, ensure that the birds thrive in healthy environment and promote the farm sustainability.
Read for more insight –
https://poultrygist.com.ng/2024/08/waste-water-management-on-the-poultry-farm/
https://poultrygist.com.ng/2021/04/heat-stress-management-in-poultry/
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