These are the 3 most common causes of water wastage

Clean and fresh drinking water is super important for a broiler and contributes to an optimal return. That is why it is important to pay sufficient attention to the water supply of your poultry in order to avoid unnecessary water wastage. In addition to the costs associated with excessive water usage and wet manure, it can also cause health problems.

The causes of water wastage

Healthy chicks drink an average of 1.8 grams of water for every gram of feed they eat. If this ratio is too much out of balance, it usually means something is wrong. If the water consumption is much higher, this can be caused by illness, heat stress, or a leak in the system, among other things. But if the chicks look healthy, the feed intake is normal, and there are no visible leaks, this could also mean that there is something wrong with the set-up of your drinking water supply.

In our experience, the following three are the most common causes of excessive water wastage:

#1. Negligent maintenance

It is important to thoroughly flush and clean the drinking lines regularly to keep harmful bacteria out of the drinking line as much as possible. The temperature of the water is also important. The higher the temperature, the faster bacteria and fungi can multiply.

The dangers of biofilm

Biofilm is a slimy layer that forms on the inside of the drinking line. Over time, pieces of this biofilm may break off, ending up in the drinking nipple. This blockage then ensures that the drinking nipple no longer closes entirely and starts to leak.

By regularly flushing and cleaning the drinking lines, you prevent biofilm build-up and maintain the water's temperature. A helpful way to make this process easier and less time-consuming is to use an automatic flushing system.