In livestock farming, water is assigned to be fed to animals can be considered one of the most important factors. Water maintains cell pressure, serves to thermoregulate the animals and, above all, is responsible for the solution and transport of food. Water supply and good feed intake are directly related. So water is vital for the animals – and at the same time, the optimal water supply is also economically crucial for your business, because only then are the animals healthy and resilient.
In order to ensure an optimal water supply for the animals, sufficient water must first be available and must also be available to the animals with the appropriate type and number of watering points. But the quality of the water is also an important criterion. If this is not good, for example, because the taste and smell are not “right”, the animals react with reduced water absorption.
An initial assessment of the water can be made by checking the appearance, nature and origin of the water. Turbidity or unusual smell can be easily identified by a water sample. If water from flowing water is used, one should pay attention to possible pollution in the upper course. When using rainwater, for example, the roof surfaces, gutters and supply lines should be checked regularly for contamination.
Should drinking water also have drinking water quality?
Drinking water for us humans is subject to the high requirements of the drinking water regulation. By contrast, there is currently no correspondingly precise legal specification for the quality of drinking water for farm animals and is limited to general safety requirements (e.g. feed hygiene regulation, feed).
In the case of water quality, particular attention should also be paid to the possible formation of algae in the drinking water. Stagnant water is particularly prone to algae growth, and blue-green algae, in particular, can also be harmful to animals from sources such as ponds and lakes, and attention should be paid to algae here as well.
Long term storage of water in tanks can also be affected by algae formation and the formation of algae is stimulated by light. It is therefore advisable to use high-quality tanks made of special polyethene which are opaque. Endurmaxx water tanks and water bowsers are specially designed for this use and can help to ensure drinking water quality during storage.
Our tip to ensure suitable water quality for your livestock, if the drinking water does not come from the public network, it is recommended to check the drinking water quality regularly. Institutions such as environmental authorities and advisors can provide information on the water status of the region (e.g. water quality map) can also be helpful. It is also important that the drinking water is not only of the right quality when it is introduced, but also that it meets all requirements at the time of the animal’s intake. Drinking equipment must, therefore, be designed accordingly, cleaned regularly and maintained.
Always remember: Good drinking water is vital for your animals and also crucial for the economic success of your business! For more details on Water quality in agricultural animal husbandry and the Enduramaxx range of livestock water bowsers and drinkers, please view online here or get in touch on 01778 562810 today.
