ARTICLE FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE March 2026 75 Among the many factors influencing productivity in pigs and poultry, drinking water quality remains one of the most overlooked yet crucial elements. Encouragingly, the livestock industry is increasingly recognising the vital role that clean, high-quality water plays in supporting the health and performance of all farmed species. The quality of water available exerts a significant effect on animal health and performance on any pig and poultry production unit. Productivity and profitability – not to mention animal welfare – can all be adversely impacted if a plentiful supply of clean, fresh water is not available. Farmed livestock typically consume at least twice as much water as feed. Drinking water quality is vital for poultry because, as with humans, around 70% of the bird’s body is made up of water and it is an essential nutrient for biological functions. Moreover, farm animals tend to decrease feed intake during stress or challenging situations, but they keep drinking water, which also makes the water a tool to address certain challenges. In most species, reduced water intake is directly linked to a reduction in feed consumption and production. Quality matters too. Good water facilitates metabolic processes, chemical reactions, temperature regulation and waste product removal from any animal’s body. Better water quality also facilitates improved effectiveness of drinking water vaccines, simply because the cleaner the water, the fewer competing bacteria around to limit vaccine efficacy. Poor water quality often leads to disease, reproductive issues and mortality – particularly in younger animals – so it is vital to test and improve any water supply destined for livestock consumption. HOW DOES WATER BECOME CONTAMINATED? Water can easily become contaminated on any farm. For example, hot weather can heat up the water supply and this not only adversely impacts intake – because, as with humans, livestock tend to avoid drinking warm water – but warmer water is a better breeding ground for bacteria. Water quality concerns often stem from a farm’s water source, particularly wells or boreholes. Often, leaching mineral ions from the land into the water can increase a water supply’s salinity. Different animals have different tolerances for salty water, so keep checking the supply to ensure full compliance with the relevant animal health guidelines. One commonly overlooked example is the iron and sulTHE IMPACT OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY ON PRODUCTIVITY IN PIGS AND POULTRY Annie Metcalfe Monogastric Technical Sales Manager Azelis UK
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