Local Alabama Aquifer Water Quality Effects on Broiler

Production and Processing

J.B. Hess, J.P. Blake, S.F. Bilgili and K.S. Macklin

Auburn Poultry Science Department

Broilers and Water Quality

• Water Availability– Drinking – Several gallons per bird– Evaporative Cooling

• Water Quality– Drinking – Bird Health• Intestinal

– Processing – 4-8 gal/bird• 1 million birds/week

Water Sources

• Broiler Farms– Wells– Municipal

• Processing Plants– Wells

• Hatcheries– Municipal

Hatcheries

• Clean, Precise–Can’t Afford Issues

• Evaporative Cooling–Humidity in Incubators

• Sanitation - Chemicals• Vaccination – Live Organisms

Poultry Industry

• North Central– Cullman, Marshall, Blount

• South East– Coffee, Dale, Barbour, Pike, Crenshaw

• North West– Franklin, Winston

• West Central/Central– Pickens, Greene, Hale, Tuscaloosa

North Central Alabama

• Primarily the Pottsville Aquifer• High Iron Levels• Stain Equipment• Cause Leaks – Wet litter– Footpad Health, Increased Bacteria, Increased

ammonia

• Processing – Iron Precipitates

Well Water Calcium Levels

Series10

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

PPM

Well Water Iron Levels

Series10

10

20

30

40

50

60

PPM

Processing – Iron Precipitates

• Water In Processing Plants• Iron Precipitates– Clog Filters– On final Product - Contamination

• Remediation– Filtration – Constant Battle– Change pH of Water

Southeast Alabama

• Ripley, Nanfalia, Confining Units, Crystal River Aquifers

• Sand• Iron• Sodium

Well Water Sodium Levels

Series10

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

PPM

Excess Salt

• Poultry – Narrow Range for Health• Too much in Feed – Drink More Water• Too Much in Water – Drink More Water– Compounds Problem

• Nutritionist – Can adjust Feed Salt Level if Saline Water – But Only if All Customers are on the Same Aquifer

Sodium and Litter Moisture

Series115

17

19

21

23

25

27

29

31

33

Percent

0.15% 0.20% 0.25% 0.30%

Sodium and Foot Pad Burns

Series10

5

10

15

20

25

30

Percent

0.15% 0.20% 0.25% 0.30%

Northwest Alabama

• Tuscumbia-Fort Payne, Bangor Aquifers, Pottville as well

• Hardness– Mechanical Problems• Farms, Process and Hatcheries

– Calcium over 60 ppm– Scale Buildup

West Central Alabama

• Gordo and Eutaw Aquifers• Low pH– 5 – 7– Biologically – This has some advantages– Equipment – Can eat metal causing leaks– Processing Sanitation Chemical – Basic pH

• Sodium– High Sodium – Too much water Consumption– Wet litter

West Central Analysis

• 47% Under pH 6• 3% Over pH 8• Lowest – 4.9• Equipment Life• Sodium– Most were 2 ppm– Highest 74 ppm

Well Water Sodium Levels

Series10

20406080

100120140160180200

PPM

Avg. Sodium Levels – Wells vs Municipal

Series10

20406080

100120140160180

PPM

Conclusion

• Local Aquifer Water Quality is an Issue in Poultry Health

• Local Aquifer Water Quality is an Issue in Mechanical Aspects of Hatcheries and Processing Plants

• Examining Local Water Quality Will Allow Farmers to Predict What Mitigation May be Necessary

Local Alabama Aquifer Water Quality Effects on Broiler

Production and Processing

J.B. Hess, J.P. Blake, S.F. Bilgili and K.S. Macklin

Auburn Poultry Science Department