Drinking water and drinking line management in broiler farms

Poor water quality, such as water contaminated with microorganisms, algae, dust and rust (scale), is common and has a negative effect on poultry performance. The reason is that birds consume more water than feed and therefore water quality has a higher impact on performance. Algae, bacteria and scale build up on the inner surface of poultry house water lines over time forming the so-called bio-films. Although flushing water lines between flocks is recommended, flushing doesn’t effectively remove the bio-films of bacteria or algae. Therefore, it is important to support poultry growers to incorporate effective products that are useful in their water system flushing procedures. In addition to suppressing biofilm formation in the water lines, this procedure reduces harmful bacteria, and improves animal performance and food safety.

The quality of drinking water can be evaluated in a number of ways. It can be tested for the presence of bacteria and other microbes, the levels of minerals that occur naturally in the water, and other chemical and physical factors. On this blog page, we describe the most useful indicators of water quality and the different treatments that can be used in order to achieve good water quality.

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The importance of water quality

The quality of drinking water is essential. If the results for water quality analyses don’t fall within the accepted ranges (non-conformity), it is advised to treat the water.

Table 1. Water Quality; standards for poultry
Chemical Analyses
Parameters	Maximum level	Optimal Advised level
pH	4-9	4.5-6
Conductibility	< 2100 µS/cm	<1200 µS/ cm
Total hardness	< 35,6°F or 20 ° D	< 12° D or 15° E or 21°F
Fluoride	<1,5 mg F/L	NA
Chloride	<250 mg Cl /L	NA
Phosphate	< 5,0 mg P₂O₅ / L	NA
Sulphate	<50 mg SO₄ / L	NA
Nitrite	<1,0 mg NO₂ /L	<0.5 mg NO₂ / L
Nitrate	<100 mg NO₃ /L	<50 mg NO₃ / L
Ammonium	<0,5 mg NH₄/L	NA
Iron	<2,5 mg Fe/L	<1 mg Fe /L
Manganese	<2,0 mg Mn/L	NA
Calcium	<270 mg Ca/L	NA
Magnesium	<50 mg Mg/L	NA
Salt content (sodium)	<2000 mg/L	<1000 mg /L
Physical aspect	Clear, colorless and odorless	Clear, colorless and odorless
Bacteriological Analyses
Parameters	Maximum level	Optimal Advised level
Total counts at22°C	<100.000 / ml	<1000 / ml
Total counts at 37°C	<100.000 / ml	<100/ ml
Total coliforms	<10.000 / 100 ml	0
E. coli	<100 / ml	0
Fecal streptococci	0 / 100 ml	0
Sulphite reducing clostridia	0/20ml	NA
Clostridium Perfringens	0/ 100 ml	NA

Different types of water treatment

Acidification

Poultry adapts easily to acid water (pH 4-5), however, fluctuations of pH can have an effect on water and feed intake. A pH lower than 4 reduces water intake as well.

Organic acids: Mostly these are blends of organic acids (lactic acid, formic acid, propionic acid, acetic acid, etc.), and are used mainly for four reasons:

To reduce the acid binding capacity of the crop content. This is the same effect as acidifying the feed. By reducing the acid binding capacity of the feed in the crop and the stomach, there is a reduction in gastric pH. This reduces pathogens and enhances pepsin activity, resulting in a better and more efficient protein digestion.
To reduce the proliferation of bacteria in the drinking water. In order to acidify the drinking water, the pH has to be around 5 (max. 5). When the pH is lower than 5, the bacteria and fungi cannot proliferate anymore and the drinking lines will remain clean. If pH is higher, yeasts and bacteria will grow easily, which can cause the production of slimy substances (bio-films) or white flakes, resulting in the clogging of the drinking lines and nipples.
To prevent the formation of scale. Formation of scale is often a trigger for the formation of bio-films with all its negative effects.
To remove scale. Organic acids need to be added in higher concentrations. Flushing of the drinking lines in between two cycles is crucial.

Inorganic acids: Inorganic acids are used to flush clean the drinking lines. Because of their corrosive characteristics they cannot be used as a continuous water treatment. Several inorganic acids can be used, one of them could be orthophosporic acid.

Chlorination

Chlorine works under specific conditions:

pH must be between 6 and 7.
Contact time must be at least 20 minutes.
Concentration at the end of the drinking line must be 1 ppm - 1.5 ppm free chlorine.
The temperature must be > 15°C.

Chlorine disadvantages:

Loses its activity when:
pH > 7
Iron > 0.2 mg/L and
Nitrate > 50 mg/ L
Organic material is present (i.e. bio-films)
Does NOT remove bio-films from the drinking water system.
Raises the pH of the drinking water
Affects taste of water.
Affects water intake at higher concentrations.
Damages the environment.
Can provoke the production of harmful substances such as toxic chlorine gas when added together with acids.

Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a very strong oxidator, highly soluble and very reactive. The best products in the market contain stabilized hydrogen peroxide at 50%. This product is less aggressive and does not corrode the drinking lines.

The efficacy of hydrogen peroxide depends on the concentration used, contact time, temperature and pH:

Best pH is < 7
Concentration at the end of the drinking line must be 30 mg/ liter
The higher the temperature, the better the disinfection.
The effect is increased by the addition of peracetic acid. Some products combine the two ingredients.

At higher concentrations (2L of H₂O₂ 50% /m³ = 0.1% H₂O₂) it is very efficient for cleaning the drinking lines, reducing bacteria and fungi and efficiently removing bio-films.

At lower concentrations (100-250 ml of H₂O₂ 50% /m³ = 0.005% - 0.012% H₂O₂) it reduces bacterial load maintaining good water quality.

Alkaline products

These are used to flush clean the drinking lines. In severe cases of biofilms, it can be useful to alternate an alkaline treatment with an acid or peroxide treatment.

Actions to manage water systems

It is obligatory to thoroughly clean and disinfect the drinking lines between two cycles.
It is important that there are no residues left in the drinking lines before the start of a new cycle. The smallest remain of organic material (bio-films) in the drinking lines can cause big problems.
Because bio-films are made of bacteria (organic material) they can inhibit the efficacy of disinfectants. These bacteria can also be a continuous source of infection for the birds. Bio-films can get unattached from the water pipe line walls and block the drinking lines (i.e. nipples).

Flushing the drinking lines

For flushing the drinking lines several products in high concentration can be used. Mainly inorganic acids, alkaline solutions, hydrogen peroxide or hydrogen peroxide combined with peracetic acid. If there is a severe presence of bio-films within the drinking lines, it is best to flush first with an alkaline solution and after rinsing thoroughly flush again with an acid or peroxide product (see “Practical guide for drinking water management”). The solution must stay in the lines for at least 24 hours. If you flush the drinking lines, check how much residue comes with the flushed solution. If there is still a lot of dirt coming out of the drinking lines, it is advised to repeat the flushing. Follow these by rinsing the lines with clear water.

Intermediate cleaning during the cycle

After a treatment with antibiotics or vitamins, it is advised to clean the drinking lines. In presence of birds the use of organic acids or hydrogen peroxide (with peracetic acid) should be at a moderate dose (see “Practical guide for drinking water management”).

Continuous treatment of the drinking water

It is common to use moderate concentrations of organic acids, low dose of hydrogen peroxide (with peracetic acid) or a combination of both (see “Practical guide for drinking water management”). In combination with CLOSTAT^® we advise to have a constant treatment of the drinking water.

Administration of products to the drinking water

Dosing pumps for constant administration

In general, membrane pumps are used to add small amounts of product in the drinking water. Sometimes peristaltic pumps are used, but they are only accurate together with a permanent concentration measure.
In general, they are connected to the main water line or well at the entrance of the farm or house. These are used for permanent application of products like hydrogen peroxide (eventually combined with peracetic acid) or chlorine.

Dosing pumps for dilution at 0.5%-2% (medicator)

In general every house has its own medicator. The medicator is connected to a barrel, bin, or bucket, where the pre mixture solution (stock solution) is prepared. It is always advised to renew the pre mixture or stock solution at least once a day.
Sometimes several products are used together, but because of the high concentration of the products in the bin, it is very important that these are compatible with each other.

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