10 reasons to take keen interest in water pipes

In my interactions with farmers, I have discovered their ignorance in an area that concerns them- biofilm. Biofilm is a collection of several micro-organisms in which cells stick together inside the water pipes and enjoy a conducive environment that supports their breeding. These organisms then end up producing slimy and sticky glue-like substances that tend to clog and narrow the size of the pipes. As these harmful bacteria grow, they dislodge and get consumed by birds.

Most farmers have little clue of the presence of these so-called bio-films and therefore do not know the damaging effects on the performance of their flocks. Birds placed in a new clean house with new equipment, new waterlines their performances are usually good for a while before we notice a steady decline. We found out that biofilms play a great part to this phenomenon. As a result, we recently embarked on a rigorous campaign against biofilms by insisting that water lines are treated with peroxide based chemicals like Huwasan to get rid of the biofilms before every flock is placed. The results have been amazing. Here are ten reasons why biofilm is a hazard to your performance.

1. Makes cleaning and sanitisation of water difficult all the time.

Even if the water in the tanks are clean and sanitised, the moment they pass through biofilms, they get contaminated and dislodge the microorganisms into the gut of the chicken causing enteric diseases like campylobacteria and salmonellosis. Chlorine does not break up biofilms, the bacterial load fostered by this contamination can severely challenge the immune system of a flock and hinder performance.

2.  Buildup of calcium and other mineral deposits.

Biofilms naturally will collect and retain minerals build up in the pipes thus narrowing the lumen of drinker lines, leading into physical damage and leaky pipes. The leakage results in wet litter conditions and ammonia releases.

3. Inactivation of vitamins and medications

Biofilms trap vitamins and any medicines or water-soluble additive applied in the over-head tanks and therefore render them ineffective to the target birds. This results into waste and inappropriate use of water-soluble vitamins hence poor performance.

4. Deactivates water chlorination

Farmers routinely use chlorine to sanitize water in the tanks and kill free floating bacteria, unfortunately this practice cannot kill bacteria deeply embedded in the biofilms. The bacterial load in the water will quickly return to the pre-sanitised level. In 24 hours at 32 degrees C a single E. coli organism multiplies into trillions of E. coli.

5.  Compromised water-based vaccination

In large farm operations, it is common to see farmers mix live vaccines in overhead tanks to quickly vaccinate thousands of birds within 2-2.5 hours as recommended by vaccine suppliers. Biofilms laden with minerals and bacteria will deactivate vaccines and render them useless and the results will be poor immunization and lack of protection against diseases like Newcastle, Gumboro and Infectious bronchitis.

6. Poor eggshell quality

The main disadvantage of biofilms is their ability to make drinking water un-palatable to the birds and as a source of microbiol contamination. The net effect seen in laying birds is occurrence of corrugated and weak shell qualities due to un-balanced calcium and phosphorus minerals in the body tissues.

7. Inadequate water intake

Biofilms spoil water palatability and hence poor water consumption. Water is an essential nutrient that impacts virtually all physiological functions and good water quality is vital to efficient broiler or layer production. If water consumption decreases at any point birds will shun feed consumption and results into poor performance.

8.  Increased mortality

Microbiol load contributes to an increase of 2-3% in infection in a farm with no biofilm control program. Leg problems in broilers and generalized peritonitis are very common in farms with un-treated water lines.

9. Makes it difficult to clean closed drinking system

Biofilms if not checked can completely block waterlines and make cleaning them near impossible. It is a good practice to flash waterlines once every month and ensure that manufacturers recommendations are adhered to.

10.   Denatures natural feed additives and react negatively to some natural contaminants

Biofilms react to water soluble additives like organic acids, electrolytes, sugar water, stabilizers, probiotics and prebiotics that are included in feed, thus rendering them ineffective.

[For more information send to messo@kenchic.com, vet@kenchic.com]