Study Design
Field testing was conducted at a broiler farm consisting of four barns with a combined capacity of approximately 74,000 birds.
Prior to treatment, the farm utilized an acidified sodium chlorite product for water treatment. This program was discontinued for the duration of the study.
Before chick placement, a shock treatment protocol was implemented to address contamination within the water distribution system. This process involved introducing elevated concentrations of chlorine dioxide into the water lines and allowing extended contact time to remove biofilm, algae, and associated microbial contaminants.
These organic accumulations are known to harbor pathogenic organisms and contribute to disease pressure within poultry operations.
Treatment Protocol
Chlorine dioxide was applied using Dosatron injection systems.
- Initial shock treatment concentrations approached 25 ppm
- Water lines were charged until chlorine dioxide was detected at 10 ppm at the end of the system
- Lines were then isolated and held for approximately 1 hour to allow sufficient contact time
- Following treatment, lines were flushed to remove residual chlorine dioxide and dislodged organic material
Significant organic buildup was visibly removed during the flushing process, indicating prior contamination within the system.
After system cleaning, a continuous treatment protocol was implemented:
- A maintenance dose of approximately 1 ppm chlorine dioxide was applied
- This concentration was maintained throughout the full grow-out cycle
Results
Qualitative Observations
During the treatment period, the producer reported observable improvements in bird condition.
Birds appeared cleaner and healthier compared to previous flocks. This was attributed to firmer excrement during growth, which reduced feather contamination and improved overall barn conditions.
Historically, wetter litter and soiling had been observed, both of which are associated with increased risk of disease and infection.
Quantitative Results
Water quality testing demonstrated substantial microbial control:
- Total bacterial counts measured at 2 CFU/mL
- 0 CFU/mL coliform bacteria detected
Production performance also improved:
- Average flock weights reached 8.60 and 8.61 pounds
- This represents an increase of approximately 0.89–0.90 pounds per bird compared to the previous untreated control flock
At a market value of approximately $0.53 per pound, this increase in weight corresponded to a projected revenue increase of up to $35,298 for the flock.
Discussion
The results indicate that treatment of poultry drinking water with chlorine dioxide can significantly improve both system hygiene and production outcomes.
The initial shock treatment effectively removed accumulated biofilm and organic material from water lines, which are known reservoirs for microbial contamination. The visible removal of buildup during flushing supports the presence of pre-existing contamination within the system.
Following system cleaning, continuous low-level dosing maintained water quality, as evidenced by extremely low bacterial counts and complete absence of coliform organisms.
Improved litter conditions and bird cleanliness suggest that water quality may influence not only internal health factors but also environmental conditions within the barn.
Additionally, increased average bird weight indicates a potential link between water quality and nutrient utilization or overall bird performance.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that a combined approach of shock treatment and continuous low-level dosing of chlorine dioxide can effectively improve poultry drinking water systems.
Key outcomes included:
- Significant reduction in microbial contamination within water lines
- Elimination of coliform bacteria in treated water
- Improved bird cleanliness and barn conditions
- Increased average bird weight and associated economic return
These findings support the role of water system sanitation as a critical factor in poultry production performance and operational efficiency.
See how poultry drinking water treatment supports cleaner lines and stronger flock performance.