WAAW 2025: Water treatment & biosecurity — twin pillars of profitable poultry management

In today's highly competitive poultry industry, achieving profitable, sustainable and disease-free production hinges on the synergistic strength of two fundamental practices: Water treatment and biosecurity. These are not merely optional best practices but rather decisive factors that, when implemented together, safeguard flock health, enhance performance and crucially, reduce the industry's dependence on therapeutic antibiotics, thereby addressing the growing global concern of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

The industry is recognising that investing in these foundational controls yields far greater returns than constantly managing crises caused by their neglect.

Water: Forgotten but critical nutrient

Water is perhaps the most critical element in poultry production, yet it is frequently referred to as the "forgotten nutrient". This oversight is particularly concerning given that birds consume up to twice as much water as they do feed, meaning any compromise in water quality has an immediate and direct impact on essential physiological processes, including growth rates, egg production and overall immunity.

The key challenges faced in maintaining optimal water quality are multifaceted and must be addressed systematically: Microbial contamination, where pathogens like E coli and Salmonella spread rapidly through untreated sources; biofilm formation, which sees organic residues in the pipeline system harbor and protect these pathogens; chemical impurities such as high Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), hardness, iron, or nitrates that negatively affect digestion and overall performance; and finally, pH imbalance, where water that is too acidic or alkaline can significantly reduce the bird's vital feed intake, leading to poor nutrient utilisation.

Effective water treatment, therefore, demands routine monitoring of TDS, hardness, and microbial load, complemented by practices such as pre-filtration, acidification to maintain an optimal pH of 5.5-6.5 (which itself inhibits bacterial growth) and robust disinfection using agents like chlorination, hydrogen peroxide, or ozone, alongside regular waterline flushing to mechanically disrupt biofilm buildup. 

Biosecurity: Preventing disease entry, spread

Complementary to internal water health is the external defense provided by biosecurity, which encompasses all measures designed to prevent the entry and subsequent spread of disease on the farm.

Given the global rise in AMR and the industry's necessary shift toward antibiotic-free production models, the importance of a strict biosecurity protocol cannot be overstated.

Biosecurity is structured across three interdependent levels. Conceptual biosecurity involves initial planning, focusing on factors like the farm's location, ensuring adequate distance from other poultry units and establishing controlled, single-entry points.

Structural biosecurity refers to the physical barriers and fixed systems in place, such as fencing, bird-proof sheds, and, notably, the integrated water sanitation system.

Finally, operational biosecurity covers the essential, day-to-day practices, including regular disinfection routines, strict vaccination schedules, controlled visitor policies, and providing necessary equipment like footbaths, hand sanitisers and dedicated farm clothing at entry points.

These protocols must extend to disinfecting all incoming vehicles, crates, and equipment, implementing rigorous rodent and wild bird control programs, and maintaining strictly defined mortality disposal methods, such as incineration or composting, all while maintaining meticulous farm records for complete traceability.

Consequence of ignoring water sanitation

In modern production systems, farmers are often focused on the complexity of feed formulation, incorporating various feed additives — such as water and feed acidifiers, toxin binders and probiotics — and using cost-effective protein sources like rice distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and maize DDGS.

However, ignoring the fundamental role of water sanitation remains a critical mistake. Even the most perfectly balanced and fortified feed will fail if the water supplied to the birds is contaminated; this leads directly to detrimental outcomes, including loose droppings due to microbial load, severely poor nutrient absorption (meaning protein, energy, and vitamins are wasted), an increased incidence of diseases like E coli infections and Salpingitis, and a generally weakened immunity that compromises overall production performance.

In stark contrast, farms that prioritise proper water sanitation consistently demonstrate superior results, such as the achievement of "DRY BEAT," or consistently dry droppings, which serves as a clear, visible indicator of excellent gut health and optimal nutrient uptake, proving that success lies not just in what is fed, but how hygienically the environment is managed.

Safe water treatment: Choosing right standard

A common issue observed on farms is the reliance on cheaper, sub-standard chemicals like chlorine gas, bleaching powder, and sodium hypochlorite for water treatment.

While effective as disinfectants, these compounds are not inherently safe for either poultry or human consumption as they can leave harmful residues, alter the water's taste, reduce consumption rates, and may introduce toxic by-products.

According to strict WHO guidelines, the only compounds approved and recommended for treating drinking water — for both humans and livestock — must be food and pharmaceutical grade.

The globally recommended and safest option is Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC), which offers broad-spectrum, highly effective bacterial control without compromising safety. NaDCC ensures zero significant change in taste or odor, provides a stable, long-lasting disinfection residual for up to 48 hours, is eco-friendly, and comes in easy-to-handle effervescent tablet formulations with a superior shelf life of up to three years.

Farmers must understand that the choice of water treatment chemical is not a cost-saving exercise but a foundational investment: compromising on a WHO-recommended, food and pharma grade product like NaDCC risks not only poor poultry performance (loose droppings, higher disease load, chlorine toxicity) but also poses a serious risk to human food safety through residues in the final meat and egg products.

Investment for sustainable success

In the strategic management of poultry, the adage "prevention is always better than cure" holds ultimate truth. Sustainable poultry farming success is not measured solely by the quality of the feed, but critically by the quality of the water birds consume every single day.

While sheds can be modernised and feed formulas optimised, without the dual safeguards of clean water and strict biosecurity, the flock's full genetic and production potential will remain capped.

Water treatment and biosecurity must be viewed not as necessary costs to be minimised, but as non-negotiable investments that yield exponential returns in the form of higher productivity, enhanced bird welfare, reduced reliance on medicine, and long-term, sustainable profitability for the farmer.

Dr Mahendra Singh, head, veterinary division, Hind Pharma, Bhopal; Director, Mommy’s Chicken & Foods Pvt Ltd, Bhopal. Views expressed are the author’s own and don’t necessarily reflect those of Down To Earth.