Turkey producers need not worry about converting to a raised without antibiotics program if they do not make sure the water their birds are drinking has been properly sanitized.
While speaking during his presentation, “Paying Attention to Detail – Raising Turkeys Without Antibiotics” at the 2018 Midwest Poultry Federation Convention in Minneapolis, John Menges, Eastern Regional Manager, Best Veterinary Services, said water sanitation is a topic he cannot emphasize enough, and he made a reference to the popular Monopoly board game to get his point across.
“If you’re not serious about your water sanitation, just stop there. Don’t go any further. Don’t pass go because there won’t be $200 to collect,” Menges said on March 14.
Menges said he has visited some turkey producers don’t have problems on making big purchases with some pieces of equipment, yet those same people are hesitant to invest much in a water sanitation system. Some of those people say they just can’t find a good system, while others have said they don’t have the time to worry about it.
But Menges said there is no nutrient that a turkey receives that is more important than water. And as turkey live weights have increased substantially in recent years, so has water consumption by turkeys. Menges estimates that a turkey of a particular age in 2017 drank about 20 percent more than a turkey of the same age did in 2009.
With increased water consumption should come increased concerns and efforts concerning water purity, Menges believes.
“That’s an opportunity for these birds to suck in more pathogens if we’re not taking care of them,” said Menges. “Deliver pathogen-free water to your turkeys; find a system you’re comfortable with that is effective and measurable. Don’t just assume because you’re pumping something into your water line that you’re taking care of the pathogens.”
