Enclosed drinker systems
Most poultry houses utilize enclosed drinker systems. These systems are designed to provide as much clean water as the birds want while minimizing water wastage onto the litter. Water from enclosed drinker systems is cleaner compared to open drinker systems like bell drinkers or trough systems.
Two primary reasons for the popularity of enclosed drinker systems are drier floors due to reduced water waste and less labor required for cleaning. Improved feed conversion is also observed when comparing enclosed to open drinker systems.
Drinker installation
Successful enclosed drinker system management begins with proper installation. The drinker system should be inspected during and after installation to ensure it is done correctly.
Leveling: The poultry house floor should be level to get the best result. Drinker lines that are not level could result in differing water pressure down the line or air locks.
Bedding: The bedding material or litter should be evenly distributed and smooth from wall to wall and end to end. Otherwise, uneven bedding can result in inconsistent heights between the birds and the drinkers.
Drinker height and water pressure
Enclosed drinker management involves drinker height and drinker water pressure. Water quality is another factor that can influence drinker management.
In the past, much focus was placed on drinker line height and water quality management. While water pressure has been discussed to some extent, it is worth considering.
Measuring and setting water pressure
The units water pressure is typically expressed in include pounds per square inch (PSI), bars or inches of water column. Inches of water column is commonly used in the management of enclosed drinker systems.
In most systems the pressure is measured by looking at a clear tube on top of the regulator, the stand tube, with a floating ball inside which rises as the water column increases.
Water column height may vary with the brand of drinker system, but it can be between 2 to 24 inches. The drinker water column height will vary with bird age and manufacturer. The water pressure can be adjusted using the regulator at the beginning of the line.
Some systems feature automated pressure adjustment capabilities. This feature uses changes in air pressure to increase and decrease water pressure. Many of the systems have an option to install a solenoid that will allow for automatic water pressure changes including a high-pressure water flush. In the case of poultry drinker systems, a high-pressure flush may be at 20 to 40 PSI.
What water pressure do birds need?
Water pressure determines how much water will be released from the drinker when the bird activates the trigger pin. The enclosed drinker systems in poultry houses are low-pressure, low-flow systems which operate at a pressure of 0.35 PSI (approximately 10 inches of water column). The higher the water pressure, the more water is released.
Some guidelines have recommendations on flow, but the research on these numbers is sparse. Water flow is typically measured by holding the trigger pin for 30 seconds to one minute while collecting the water into a graduated container.
This static flow measurement has been the topic of multiple discussions in presentations, papers and meetings on whether this value is appropriate for poultry drinker systems since the bird does not push and hold the pin in continuously for a static flow.
Water pressure’s role in live production
One study used seven drinker systems where the drinker height and water pressure were managed according to each manufacturer’s guideline. These seven drinkers were compared to a drinker system where the pressure was adjusted each week to provide a static flow based on an equation utilizing bird age.
This study indicated no significant differences in bird performance, feed consumption or feed conversion at the end of six weeks. However, the biggest variation observed between the systems was the difference in litter moisture under the drinker lines.
The drinker manufacturers’ installation and management guidelines should be followed. However, keep in mind the guidelines are recommendations, and they are a good starting point, buy they may not work for every farm. If the litter is too damp or dry, then an adjustment of water pressure and/or drinker height should be made.
There are still those that continue to significantly increase water pressure to get more bird weight gain.
In some instances, producers may increase water pressure higher than drinker manufacturer guidelines as early as two weeks of age. Another study examined series of flocks in a 40-foot by 500-foot house on a broiler farm.
Increased water pressure resulted in more birds using the drinker lines with the higher pressure. Additionally, increased litter moisture under the drinker lines was observed in all flocks when the water pressure was increased above the manufacturer guidelines.
A companion pen study conducted by the same group of researchers showed that broilers in a seven-week study did not take advantage of the extra water until the last week or two of the grow out.
This supports the adage that a bird will only drink what its beak will hold. Any more than that will end up on the bird and litter.
Troubleshooting waterlines
Care should be taken when diagnosing houses with damp or wet litter under the drinkers. There are several factors potentially involved besides drinker water pressure. These include, but are not limited to, drinker height, water quality, drinker age and maintenance.
If the drinker line is too low, the birds will tilt their head to the side when drinking and a portion of the water released from the drinker, when activated, will end up on the floor.
If a farm has water quality issues such as high iron or manganese, the mineral may oxidize in the drinkers forming a precipitant. This particle that is formed can get into the drinker mechanism causing the stainless-steel ball to not seat correctly when the pin is not being activated. When this ball does not seat correctly, it can lead to leaky drinkers that drip continuously.
Leaking or dripping drinkers can also be a result of system age where some of the parts may become worn. The leaking can also be a result of not cleaning the drinkers routinely and/or correctly.
In review
While there are many aspects to drinker system management, water pressure is a key factor.
Research shows that water pressure can change drinking patterns and move birds to the drinker line where they can get water easily. However, the impact high drinker water pressure can have on floor conditions can’t be overstated.
As the floor moisture content increases, it can lead to increased ammonia production, increased incidence and severity of foot pad dermatitis, increased leg issues and increased energy expenses, as higher ventilation rates would be required to maintain litter conditions.
References available upon request.
