The Impacts of chickens drinking dirty water.

Proper hydration is essential for all living beings, even chickens. Unfortunately, many chicken owners underestimate the importance of providing clean water for their flock's health and productivity.

Generally, when chickens are given dirty water, it raises the chance of them getting sick and makes their productivity worse. Research shows that chickens that drink water with harmful stuff in it lose weight and don't drink enough, leading to fewer eggs and eggs that aren't good quality.

As a chicken owner, understanding the significance of clean water for your chickens' health and the negative consequences of using dirty water is essential. Discover a comprehensive guide that explains the impact of drinking dirty water on chickens and its effects on human health.

 

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How important is clean water for chickens?

Chickens need water the most because about 70% of a chicken's body is made up of water. They just can't live without it.

When giving water to chickens, it's essential for every chicken owner to make sure it's clean and fresh. Dirty water can really affect the health and productivity of your chickens.

Chickens like clean water because it doesn't have any bad smell or taste. Chickens usually have between 240 and 360 taste buds, depending on the breed, so they avoid anything that tastes bad, including water.

Giving chickens clean water helps keep their bodies hydrated. Since protein is a big part of a chicken's diet, water is crucial for digesting food properly. Without water, chickens can't digest their food or get the nutrients they need.

Chickens need clean water to make high-quality eggs because water is a big part of the egg, making up about 65% of it.

If a hen doesn't have enough water in her body, the egg will have less albumen, and the percentage of yolk decreases. This leads to lighter eggs and lower quality.

To keep your chickens healthy and productive, provide them with fresh, clean drinking water that is free from any contaminants.

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Downsides of Giving Chickens Dirty Water

Here are some of the main problems with offering your chickens unclean drinking water:

Risks to Health

The primary concern when providing chickens with dirty water is the increased risk of diseases and infections.

Bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other harmful microorganisms in dirty water can lead to various health issues in chickens, especially in young chicks, who have a weaker immune system.

In addition to bacteria, dirty water may contain toxic compounds like arsenic, cadmium, and lead. These substances can result in decreased egg production, stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and even death if consumed in substantial quantities.

Less Drinking

If the water is dirty and contaminated, it might not taste good to the chickens. Chickens have a lot of taste buds, so if the water doesn't taste good, they might not want to drink it.

Bad Smells

If the dirty water has a bad smell, it can affect how much water the chickens drink. If they drink less water, it can lead to dehydration, which is not good for the health and productivity of your chickens.

 

Feather Problems

Drinking dirty water can harm a chicken's feathers. When chickens don't have clean water, their feathers can become of poor quality, making them more susceptible to external parasites such as mites and lice.

Dirty water can also lead to skin irritations and infections, causing discomfort and stress for the chickens.

 

Less Eating

Chickens need lots of fresh, clean water to keep their appetite up. If they drink dirty water from an unclean source, they might not eat as much. This can affect their growth, egg production, and overall health.

Reduced food intake can impact the economics of a farm, especially for those raising chickens for meat. As chickens eat less, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreases, along with the body weight of the chickens.

 

 

Digestive Problems

In addition to food, chickens need lots of clean water to digest their meals. Chickens have a digestive system different from humans, and their diet is mainly solid grains, feed particles, and insects—high in protein. Abundant water is essential for protein digestion.

Chickens also need water to soften the food stored in their crop. If they don't drink enough, the food particles stay coarse, disrupting the regular digestion process.

Contaminants and Disease

Dirty water with contaminants and microorganisms can disturb digestion, leading to issues like diarrhea, poor nutrient absorption, and reduced overall feed efficiency.

Disease Spread

Waterborne diseases like Salmonella infection and E.coli in chickens can be passed on through contaminated water.

 

Infection Risk

If one bird gets sick, the water source can get contaminated fast, putting the whole flock in danger. Sometimes, this can even lead to the death of the entire flock.

More Stress

Dirty water can make chickens stressed, making them more likely to feel uncomfortable and get sick. Long-term stress can seriously affect their health and productivity.

 

Losing Weight

Chickens that drink dirty water might lose weight because of problems with digestion and not eating enough.

Egg Problems

As hens lose weight, they lay fewer eggs, and the eggs they do lay are lighter and not as good quality.

 

More Unborn Chicks Dying

Research suggests that hens drinking dirty water have a higher chance of their eggs not hatching because there's a greater risk of the embryos not surviving.

Less Effective Medications

Most medications for bacterial infections in chickens are given through water. If the water is poor quality or you mix medicine in dirty water, the pollutants can make the medicine less effective. This means the treatment might not work well, and you might need to spend more money on medicine for your farm.

 

Ineffective Treatment

If the medicine is mixed with dirty water, it won't help the chickens, and the treatment time will be longer. This might lead to spending more money on medicine, affecting the overall economics of your farm.

Health Concerns for People

Eating eggs and meat from chickens that drink dirty water or water from unclean sources can seriously affect human health. There's a risk of consuming harmful substances, which could have severe consequences.

 

Harmful Substances in Chicken Products

Various chemical pollutants like lead, arsenic, and others, along with microorganisms such as salmonella, can find their way into chicken meat and eggs.

Effect of Dirty Water on Chickens

Research from Auburn University’s Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, indicates that dirty water, especially when contaminated with industrial chemicals like arsenic, cadmium, lead, benzene, and trichloroethylene, negatively affects chicken reproductive performance, egg quality, and embryo development.

 

Impact of Contaminated Water on Hens

The study discovered that drinking such water led to weight loss and reduced water intake in hens. Harmful chemicals in the contaminated water also lowered egg production and egg weight, while increasing the likelihood of embryonic deaths.

Effect on the Male Reproductive System

Dirty water is harmful to the male reproductive system as well. Chemicals in contaminated water reduce sperm quality and cause hormonal fluctuations in male chickens.

 

Infections from Dirty Water

Chickens can get various infections from drinking dirty water. Some of the major ones include:

Bacterial infections:

- Salmonella infection
- E.coli infection
- Campylobacteriosis

Viral infections:

- Avian influenza

Protozoal infections:
- Coccidiosis

Parasitic infections:

- Roundworms
- Tapeworms
- Flukes

Fungal infections:

- Aspergillosis

Can Chickens Drink Hard Water?

Generally, chickens can safely drink hard water, and it doesn't harm their health or production. However, a drawback of hard water is the formation of mineral deposits in poultry equipment, which can be frustrating for many poultry owners.

 

Hard Water and Mineral Deposits

Hard water often contains calcium carbonate and other minerals. These minerals can build up in drinking pipes, boilers, chillers, thermostats, and hatchery equipment over time.

Limescale or mineral buildup can seriously affect the efficiency of this equipment, leading to more frequent breakdowns and a loss of productivity.

 

Maintaining Clean Chicken Drinking Water

Ensuring your chickens have clean drinking water can be challenging, especially with a large flock. However, adopting a few simple strategies can help you keep your chickens' drinking water clean, enhancing their lifestyle, health, and productivity.

Some of these strategies include elevating the water container, keeping it out of direct sunlight, and washing it daily.

 

Daily Water Needs for Chickens

On average, an adult chicken needs to drink about half to one liter (a little more than two pints) of water per day. The amount of water chickens consume can be affected by various factors, including their age, the climate, the quality of their feed, the quality of the water, and a few other factors.