Dirty or stagnant water poses a serious health risk to birds because it can contain a wide range of harmful microorganisms. These may include bacteria such as E.coli and Enterococcus, protozoa such as coccidia and Hexamita and viruses such as rotavirus.
With many sites starting to get birds over the next few weeks, here’s our step-by-step guide to understanding your water cleanliness now, helping you save time and money in the weeks ahead.
Before chicks arrive
Step 1: Do a coliform/TVC test
This test will give you a base level of cleanliness so you can be proactive with your water hygiene on site.
What will the test show? The test will indicate how much bacteria we have managed to grow in a 24-hour and a 48-hour window from when the sample was taken. The higher the count the greater the level of contamination. Your vet will interpret these results for you.
How do you sample? Get a sample test kit from us – you can order through dispensary, or your vet will have some. The sample needs to be taken from the source, where your water enters the rearing field. Instructions on how to do the test are included in the kit. Or your vet can do it for you during a visit.
Step 2: Titration test
This should be done with your vet/field services team. It will ensure we are achieving target pH levels when introducing organic acids. It will also confirm that the correct concentrations are being used. Overdosing can lead to unnecessary costs and may be detrimental to your birds’ gut health, while underdosing may prevent you from achieving the benefits of lowering the pH.
Step 3: Do a terminal clean
Whether the initial test shows your water is dirty or clean when it comes on to site, the whole system needs a thorough clean before chicks arrive. We recommend Aqua-clean for the best results. This is done at a high concentration to remove any biofilm buildups that have occurred over winter.
Field services technician Archie Oram is available to talk through this protocol with you and advise on inclusion rates and the products that will work best for your challenge.
Step 4: Hydrogen peroxide testing
After the terminal clean, and before chicks arrive – start running Aqua-clean through the lines at a maintenance dose. Do an end of line test with a hydrogen peroxide test strip.
This will give an end of line residual reading. If you are finding residuals, it means your lines should be of an acceptable standard of cleanliness.
Most sites keep Aqua-clean running through the lines at this maintenance level continually to keep them clean.
Throughout the season
It’s a good idea to keep doing the hydrogen peroxide tests throughout the season. Even if you had clean water at the start, this can change as the water lines are often exposed to heat and light being overground – the perfect environment for coliforms to thrive. It’s also useful to redo the pH tests – especially before you use your water lines for supplementary products etc.
As a reminder, our Saver Scheme includes water testing carried out by our veterinary team, helping you get off to the best possible start. Please get in touch for more information.
