Making Water Delivery Count
Water has been deemed the "most important" nutrient to poultry. Water for all of us is a vital part of life. If we do not deliver enough water of proper quality poultry will drop in productivity of egg production and meat growth, as they too like us are mostly water.
Water supplies should be adequate to feed the birds daily, roughly two pounds of water for every pound of feed eaten. In addition, a surplus capacity should be built into the water supply to handle hot weather days where birds will stop eating and start drinking water to cool themselves. Chickens and turkeys do not sweat as humans do and rely on water evaporation through their lungs in order to expel body heat. On farms that have lower producing wells a cistern or tank storage system should be considered so that the water supply can keep up with demand.
| Age (weeks) | Gal/1000 At 70F |
Gal/1000 At 80F |
|---|---|---|
|
13-18 |
58 |
78 |
|
39-49 |
53 |
70 |
Source: North & Bell, 1990
Presentation of water should be adjusted so that the birds will get plenty of water without spilling water into the pen. For nipple drinkers, the bottom of the pin should be at or just above eye level. Birds should be reaching for the drinker so that their beak is oriented correctly so that the water will run down their throats. Chickens and turkeys do not have valves in their esophagus, so they need to get a mouthful of water and stand up for it to go down. Bell and trough water fonts should be adjusted so that the lip of the rim of the drinker is even with the back of the bird. You should see an arch in the bird's necks as they get a drink.
Lastly, water should be "potable" meaning it should be fine for you to drink. Any impurities, such as bacteria or heavy minerals and salts should be corrected. Consult a watering treatment professional for guidance. Penn State Extension has home water test kits available at county offices for purchase if you wish to see how your current water supply stands. Testing should be done at least once per year to determine if any correction is needed. By keeping water in adequate condition and proper supply, your birds will be able to thrive in the dog days of summer.
Reference:
North, Mack O.., Bell, Donald D.. Commercial Chicken Production. United Kingdom: Springer US, 1990.
