Water Acidification in Antibiotic Free Operations
When the concept of water acidification was first introduced
to the poultry industry, its validity quickly became favorable.
Producers began to view lowering water pH below 4 as a
Necessary component to a salmonella control program.
However, as the adoption of water acidification programs
began to grow, misconceptions about methods for maximizing
Effectiveness and the ideal products to use grew
with it. Some producers began using products that actually
Enhance the growth of biofilm, such as citric acid.
It’s clear that continuing education plays a key role in the
Development of safe and effective water acidification programs;
programs which will become increasingly critical
as the number of antibiotic free (ABF), no human antibiotics
(NHA) and no antibiotics ever (NAE) operations continues
to grow, and with them the need for additional preventative
Measures against necrotic enteritis.
Varied Goals of Water Acidification Programs
Some of the confusion surrounding water acidification
programs stems from a failure to clearly define the goal of
the program–is it for waterline management or to directly
affect bird health? Managing waterlines is focused on
removing biofilm from drinker systems or making no potable
water, potable. These processes occur when the
house is empty using products that are not necessarily
FDA approved for bird consumption. Water acidification
directed at improving bird health requires an FDA-approved
product that will reduce pH levels without affecting the
palatability for bird consumption or allowing bacteria to
replicate.
