CLEAN DRINKING WATER IS ESSENTIAL FOR PROFITABLE POULTRY PRODUCTION
Of all the nutrients available to the chicken, water is the most essential. It is even more important than protein or energy. If a chicken does not drink, or water intake is limited, (for example blocked nipples or contaminated drinking water), problems will occur immediately. Typically, lower feed intake, poor feed conversion and dehydration, will mean growth slows or even stops. Because chickens drink more than twice and often 3 times the amount of feed they consume the importance of a constant supply of good clean drinking water is obvious. Water is an ideal environment for the growth of disease causing pathogens. When nutrients are present in the water, pathogens multiply rapidly. As an example, bacteria need only 30 minutes to multiply in those conditions. Overnight, when birds rest and do not drink, there is plenty of time for microorganisms to heavily contaminate the water. A good example is the entero bacteria/colibacteria organism. One trial showed when drinking water was sampled in the evening only 100 bacteria per mL (cc) of drinking water was found. However, the following morning the count had increased to 5,000,000 per mL (cc) water. When birds start drinking in the morning disease can easily be spread through the house and between houses if the waterlines are inter connected. Table 1 clearly shows how microorganisms can quickly multiply. Table.1 Aerobic bacteria levels (CFU/mL(cc)) In poultry drinking water Farm
At source
End of line
A B C D
2,700 203,000 600 0
26,600 2,340,000 282,000 4,775,000
The most common nutrients in the water are dirt and small feed particles. Often overlooked however are the water-soluble additives used in poultry drinking water. Many of these products have components that form a bio-film inside the water line. Some even contain sugar or sugar derivatives all of which are an excellent feeding medium for microbes. Š
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1) Cleaning the water lines between cycles
Bio-film as a medium Cross section of waterline depicting Bio-film
Thick bio-films are created especially when large amounts of water-soluble additives (vitamins, minerals, some electrolytes, enzymes, anti-biotics etc.) are being used during the production cycle. This bio-film (see Figure 1) is a perfect medium for pathogenic microorganisms to culture and multiply. These pathogenic organisms can enter the water line easily through open reservoirs and contaminated nipples. Microorganisms are fast moving and can climb up into the waterlines and contaminate the whole drinking water system. Once in the system, the organism attaches itself to the bio-film and the multiplication process is started
It is common to use a normal disinfectant such as HOLIMEN / HOLIMED*! for this purpose. This can be very effective provided the water lines do not contain organic matter like bio-films. When bio-films are present, a different approach is needed because disinfectants are not powerful enough to penetrate the bio-film and remove it. Aquablitz* has been specially developed to remove bio-film. Because it is so powerful, it should only be used when there are no chickens in the house. Cleaning "in between" the production cycles should not be limited to the main horizontal pipelines of the drinking water system. The vertical pipes leading water to the drinkers are just as important. So too is the nipple or cup. If the bio-film in the horizontal lines is removed, but remains in the vertical pipes the contamination problem will start all over again.
Remember to clean and treat: Header, buffer, or container tanks: These tanks are often placed inside the house above the birds. Since this is usually the warmest place in the house, water in these tanks may often reach room temperature and be polluted with dust particles, which are ideal conditions for pathogens to multiply rapidly. Main watering lines: Watering systems used for medication commonly contain more bio-films than the main system because medication products contain many carrier-substrates, which cause the creation of bio-films in the pipes. Unless removed the bio-film within the water lines is a constant source of contamination even when the header tanks are properly sanitized. To prevent harmful microbe buildup a water sanitisation programme should be implemented.
This programme should include: ! Cleaning the waterlines between cycles ! Constantly sanitizing the drinking water via the header tanks ! Eliminating algae from the water
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Horizontal tubes/Vertical tubes: Between production cycles, the horizontal pipes should also be cleaned. Cups, troughs, bell-drinkers: When using an open type water system, dirt and pathogenic organisms can enter easily at this point. They may spoil the water even more when water consumption is low. This is often the case when starting up a new production cycle. Water temperature: At high water temperatures (over 20oC), biological processes may stimulate the development of harmful bacteria - Botulism (Clostridium) and Cyanobacteria. The Clostridium bacteria by themselves are not dangerous, but they may produce toxins. In warm water, these bacteria may grow in an explosive way and intoxicate the water. Š
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HOW TO USE AQUABLITZ 1. Calculate the amount of water required to flush through the drinking water lines. 2. Use enough water to ENSURE THE DRINKING WATER LINES ARE FILLED WITH THE TREATED WATER. 3. Use 50 grammes of Aquablitz per 100 gallons of treated water. Calculate the amount of Aquablitz to use. 4. Dissolve the required amount of Aquablitz in the volume of water calculated in Point No 1 5. Shut off the system. 6. Empty the main water tank for each shed. 7. Add the treated water (medicated with Aquablitz) to the overhead tank. 8. Open the system and allow the Aquablitz treated water to flush through. Check the drinkers at the end of the shed to ensure Aquablitz treated water has penetrated all the way.
blue, green and even red, also produce toxins causing skin, liver and intestinal problems. The regular use of COPTROL* will eliminate algae. COPTROL* is harmless to birds and humans but highly toxic to algae. Only very small doses are necessary 2mL(cc)/1000Lt of drinking water.
DRINKING WATER SANITATION !
HOLIMEN / HOLIMED* should be used in the drinking water of broilers to eliminate the spread of droplet infection via the drinking water. 1 heaped teaspoon per 200 Litres of drinking water is all that is necessary. ! CAUTION: HOLIMEN / HOLIMED* should not be used in the drinking water of laying birds or when using vaccines in the drinking water. !
Available in some markets as HOLIMED.
9. Allow to stand for at least 24 hours. 10. After 24 hours flush the system with clean water. 11. Clean up the debris loosened by Aquablitz. If after this treatment there is still debris in the drinking line, repeat steps 1 to 9. 12. When the lines and drinkers are clean, flush out with clean water. 13. Restart the watering system. Warning: Aquablitz should not be used when poultry/animals are using the water in the drinking line.
Rural Chemical Industries (Aust) Pty. Ltd Unit 4, 26 Kent Road, Mascot, NSW 2020, Australia P O Box 6316, Alexandria, 2015 NSW Australia Tel: (612) 9667 0700 ! Fax: (612) 9669 0430 Email: info@rci.com.au ! Website: www.rci.com.au Freecall in Malaysia: 1800 80 2470 Freecall in Philippines: 1800 161 20014 Note: Aquablitz, Holimen, and Coptrol are registered Trademarks of
CONTROL OF ALGAE Algae, which has the potential of blocking drinking nipples and water lines, can easily be controlled by the used of COPTROL*. Slime or scum that is formed on water in troughs is usually the result of algae. Growth of algae is accentuated during warm weather. Certain species of algae are known to produce toxicity in poultry. Blue-green algae (known as cyanobacteria), which colour the water 4
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