Effective water vaccination: the importance of water quality

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Good vaccination schemes are an important part of good farm management. Vaccination prevents diseases (and secondary bacterial infections) and thus antibiotic use. Many live vaccines can be administered via the drinking water, whereas some need to be injected. Drinking water vaccination is very practical, but the efficacy is highly influenced by the water quality/composition. These important points concerning the drinking water should be kept in mind at all times:

Use water of high quality! Unwanted components can interfere with the vaccine. Unpalatable water can be detrimental because of lower water uptake. Check the DISARM Best Practice Guide for water quality for more information on how to evaluate and remediate water quality.

At least 48h before vaccination: cease all water treatments. In case of live bacterial vaccines (e.g., Salmonella, Mycoplasma): stop antibiotic treatments at least 7 days before AND after vaccination.

Flush the pipes thoroughly to remove all residues of cleaning and disinfection products. This is essential to avoid inactivation of the vaccine.

Add a water stabilizer that binds substances such as chlorine in tap water to avoid vaccine inactivation.

Check the DISARM best practice guide for vaccination protocols for more information on effective vaccination practices.

Source: N. Sleeckx, Drinkwatermedicatie, Proefbedrijf pluimveehouderij vzw, 2014.

Step-by-step plan for chemical disinfection of drinking water pipes

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Safe drinking water is essential for healthy animals. Contaminated water can quickly lead to health problems and thus increase the need for antibiotic treatments. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to the drinking water and pipes. Reduction of the bacteriological load of the water is often achieved by a treatment with a disinfectant such as chlorine or peroxide (= chemical disinfection). When choosing the product and dosage, several factors must be taken into account: the contamination at the source, any additives, vaccines or medication that will be administered via the water, the presence of biofilm or lime scale … Therefore it is highly recommended to discuss with your vet or advisor which treatment is appropriate for your situation., An effective chemical disinfection of your drinking water system can be obtained with the following step-by-step plan (note, only perform in between production rounds!):

1. Open the pipes and drinking nipples.
2. Add the prescribed dilution (depending on the product) to the drinking water system by means of a dosing pump.
3. Measure the water at the end of the pipes with the test strip supplied to check whether there is sufficient product in the entire system.
4. Close the pipes and drinking nipples and let the product take effect. The contact time depends on the product used.
5. Open the pipe and nipple drinkers and flush abundantly with water.
6. Check if the drinking nipples are functioning properly before new animals are allowed into the stable.
7. Check again with a test strip at the end of the line whether all remaining product has been removed.

Step-by-step plan for water sampling

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1. Take a bottle that is as clean as possible and rinse it several times with the water to be analysed. A number of labs also have receptacles available.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly.
3. For a sample directly from a reservoir you take a mixed sample of different subsamples. You should preferably scoop these subsamples about 30 cm below the water surface. After good mixing, the receptacle can be filled.
4. Follow the following procedure for a sample from a tap:
– To know the quality of the starting water (the source), choose a tap as close to the source as possible.
– To check the quality at the drinking points, take a sample from a tap that is as far from the source as possible.
5. Clean the tap well, preferably also with an alcohol tissue.
6. If you want to know the quality of the starting water (the source), let the tap run for some minutes. To detect problems with biofilm formation in the pipes or to check if a disinfectant works effectively, let it run only for a short time.
7. Fill the receptacle for bacteriology first, then the receptacle for chemical parameters.
8. It is important that the samples reach the lab as soon as possible. If this is not possible, make sure that the samples are kept cool (refrigerated) for storage and transportation.

Step-by-step plan for the acidification of drinking water

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In pigs and poultry, acidification of the drinking water can be a very effective tool to prevent or lower the need for antibiotics. Acidification can have multiple beneficial effects, such as improved palatability and thus water intake, improved digestion, prebiotic effect and reduction of pathogens (e.g., Salmonella). Each type of acid or acid mixture has its own specific properties. Moreover, disinfection products or other compounds present in the water can interfere or react with acids. In some cases, organic acids can cause slime formation due to growth of yeasts and fungi. Always consult your vet/advisor to discuss which acid (mixture) suits your drinking water system and water quality best. Once a suitable acid (mixture) is chosen, the correct dosage is the key to success.

How to determine the correct dosage:

1. Fill a bucket with 10l of the water to be tested.
2. Put on safety glasses and acid resistant gloves.
3. Take a disposable syringe of 10 or 20 ml and fill it with the acid (mixture) to be tested.
4. Add 5 ml of the acid (mixture) to the water and measure the pH with a pH strip or pH meter (both for sale at the pharmacy). Repeat this step until you reach the desired pH (typically around pH 4; discuss this with your vet/advisor)
5. Write down how much acid (mixture) you added to the water (= ‘x’ ml)
6. Calculate the dosage:
x millilitre of acid added to 10 litres of water =>
DOSAGE = x/10 litre of acid per 1000 litre of water
7. Repeat this procedure every time the water source or type of acid (mixture) is changed

85 A ‘meta-analysis’ of effects of post-hatch food and water deprivation on development, performance and welfare of chickens (Research paper; De Jong, 2017)

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Significant Impact Group(s): Feed / gut health \ Feeding management – Feeding management ; Water
Species targeted: Poultry;
Age: Young;
Outcome Parameter(s): body weight; cumulative food intake; FCR; mortality; relative yolk sac weight
Summary: This study reports results collected in other studies showing that post-hatch food deprivation or food and water deprivation (PHFWD) for approximately 24 hours can lead to significantly lower body weights compared to early fed chickens up to six weeks of age. Body weights and food intake were reduced more the longer the food and water deprivation lasted. PHFWD also has negative effects on the development of liver and pancreas, and delay the development of duodenum, jejunum and ileum. These effects were observed mainly in the first week of age. As a conclusion, findings also suggest a chicken welfare is lowered for PHFWD, however, additional studies are recommended on the effect of PHFWD containing a wider range of variables, including behaviour and disease resistance, in the short-term as well as long-term.
85 Research paper – de Jong – 2017 – A meta-analysis of effects of post-hatch food and water deprivation on development, performance and welfare of chickens
Where to find the original material:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5728577/; https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0189350
Country: NL

85 Research paper – de Jong – 2017 – A meta-analysis of effects of post-hatch food and water deprivation on development, performance and welfare of chickens

20 Cider vinegar in water by Mr Wijnen (Farm Innovation)

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Significant Impact Group(s): Water \ Water additives ; Specific alternatives

Species targeted: Poultry;
Age: Young; Adult;
Outcome Parameter(s): vital chicks
Summary: The story of one farmer: Using apple cider vinegar in drinkingwater of chickens lowers use of antibiotics.
“It is nonsense that the animals should be given antibiotics to stay healthy.”
Story of one poultry farmer.
20 Farm Innovation – Cider vinegar in water by Mr Wijnen
Where to find the original material: (in Dutch)
https://www.boerderij.nl/Pluimveehouderij/Achtergrond/2010/4/Gezonde-kuikens-met-appelazijn-BOE011309W/;
Country: NL

20 Farm Innovation – Cider vinegar in water by Mr Wijnen

12 Soil bacteria by Pruex (Farm innovation)

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Species targeted: Dairy; Age: Adult;

Summary: Pruex – additives ‘animal house stabaliser’ and ‘Water cleaner’
Ensuring that animals get clean water that’s not dominated by infection causing bacteria is essential in the fight against disease and majorly influences the need to treat sick animals with antibiotics.
Disease instances such as mastitis, foul of the foot, calf scour and pneumonia have all reduced significantly on this Scottish dairy unit since they have applied Pruex protocols with the aim of ensuring; dry bedding, clean air, feet and water.

David Finlay discusses what they have observed since they have worked with Pruex with the objective of reducing the environmental challenge their animals face from disease causing agents.

Where to find the original material: (in English)
https://www.pruex.co.uk/blogs/news/tagged/mastitis;

Country: UK

Flushing the drinking pipes in broiler farming

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Drinking water is an essential feed for broilers. Over the course of its life, a chicken will drink twice as much water as it will eat food. If this water is too hot at the drinkers, the chicks’ water consumption will decrease, which can harm the growth of the animals, especially during the first days of rearing.

In addition, biofilm, which also develops in the pipes when the flow rate is low and the temperature is high, is a risk factor for bacterial development and clogging of the drinking system.

Purging the pipes regularly and under pressure allows the biofilm stuck to the walls to be removed and the hot water to be replaced by cooler, cleaner water from the network or drilling point. The chickens are better hydrated and thirst quenched. The chicks perform better in early life, reducing the need for antibiotic treatments. Farmers observe improved weight gain in broilers at five days of age.

However, if purging is done manually, it can be very time-consuming and wasteful of water. To limit these inconveniences, the installation of an automatic purging system is a good idea: purging can be programmed to be carried out at certain times of the day, triggered directly from the box in the building, or remotely with a smartphone.

Optimizing water quality on poultry, pig and dairy farms

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In practice, it is common for drinking water quality not to be optimal on farms. Water quality can be affected by temperature fluctuations, damage to pipe work, dead-end pipes, bends, pipe diameter and nipple connections.

It is good practice to have the water pipes checked regularly (i.e. swabbed and microbiologically tested) and to clean them thoroughly. Biofilms – the protective environment on surfaces that bacteria can live in that allows them to survive longer and resist routine cleaning – must be removed or not allowed to build up. Therefore, in addition to a cleaning agent, a disinfectant should be used to tackle the biofilm. At least once a week, perform a visual check of taps and pipework using a white bucket or transparent measuring cup. During cleaning, have the water supply checked by a specialist using an endoscope. In this way, a deterioration of the water quality can be observed over time. Check which products are effective against biofilms.

The water quality should be so good that you dare to drink it yourself! Good quality water saves you money by avoiding persistent infections that can lower an animal’s immune system and lead to unnecessary or excessive antibiotic use. Clean water = less need for antibiotics.