WINTER BONUS MAGAZINE 2026

Figure 9: Dirty and feather pecked birds in a cage, missing a drinker cup Maintenance is essential in ensuring an adequate supply of water in both caged and floor systems. Drinker nipples should be checked and cleaned regularly to ensure they are working. Maintaining the correct ratio of birds to drinkers is only effective if the drinkers are, in fact, functional. Leaking nipples should also be attended to as soon as possible to prevent wet litter and wet manure, reducing the risk of ammonia buildup. Excessively wet manure (especially when not removed regularly) can not only lead to noxious odours, but also an increase in disease pressure and pests such as flies. Drinker cups should be present under every nipple. In cage systems, missing cups result in the birds getting wet, which in winter months may affect the birds’ ability to thermoregulate, resulting in excess energy being used to maintain body heat and thus less being available to maintain production performance. Feather pecking and bullying tend to be more prevalent in cages where cups are missing. In floor systems, cups play an important role in reducing water spillage and keeping litter dry. Quality control Monitoring water quality and maintaining an acceptable water quality are important aspects of water management. Water quality should be regularly tested (at least every six months) through an accredited laboratory to ensure the quality has not been compromised. This testing should include microbiological testing and chemical qualities such as pH, mineral content, and total dissolved solids. Groundwater quality can rapidly change after heavy rains and may need to be tested more frequently. While water quality is often the focus point of water management, regular monitoring of the physical characteristics of water is often overlooked. Something as simple as collecting a water sample from each flock daily or even weekly and assessing it based on odour, colour, and presence of sediments can allow for the early detection of a decline in water quality before the negative effects are seen. For more information on water quality, read the article “Ensuring Optimal Water Quality in Poultry Farming Systems” on the De Heus website: https:// www.deheus.co.za/explore-and-learn/insights/ ensuring-optimal-water-quality-in-poultry- farming-systems. Conclusion Water management plays a key role in both the nutrition and health pillars of poultry farming. Poor water management negatively affects both animal production and health. Without adequate water intake, nutrients cannot be digested, optimum feed intakes cannot be achieved, and production is negatively affected. Poor water management leads to an increase in disease risk through increased exposure to pathogens, environmental instability, and added strain on the immune system. Poor water management negatively affects chicken welfare when it leads to feather pecking, bullying for resources, footpad lesions, breast blisters, and hock sores. In contrast, good water management practices support the nutritional needs of the animal and enhance animal production, health, and welfare. When water is managed correctly, it can be a useful tool in optimising the animal and unlocking its natural power to produce well. www.deheus.co.za | 031 785 1575 | infosa@deheus.com To learn more about water management in poultry, please contact your local De Heus technical advisor – https:// http://www. deheus.co.za/meet-our-team/.