Ep 50 | Poultry vet Ian Lowery: The Unexpected Results of a Broiler Water Study

Water sanitation has become standard practice on many poultry farms—but does cleaner drinking water reliably translate into better bird performance?

In the 50th episode of the Poultry Network podcast, Tom Woolman and Tom Willings speak to poultry vet Dr Ian Lowery, director of Crowshall Veterinary Services, about the findings of his doctoral research into broiler drinking-water hygiene.

Ian’s study followed 16 broiler sheds over four production cycles, comparing untreated water with chlorine, silver-stabilised peroxide and non-silver-stabilised peroxide programmes. Water samples were collected before placement and at seven, 14 and 28 days, with the results matched against flock performance, mortality and antibiotic-use data.

The sanitising treatments did what they were expected to do: they substantially reduced bacterial contamination, particularly during the birds’ first week. But the headline result was far less predictable. Across the trial, Ian found no statistically demonstrable improvement in feed conversion, daily weight gain, mortality, EPEF or antibiotic use between the sanitised and untreated groups.

That does not mean water hygiene has no value. Ian explains why terminal cleaning, longer-lived flocks, pathogen control and protection against rare but costly “black swan” events may still provide a strong justification for sanitation. However, the findings challenge the assumption that an in-flock water treatment programme will automatically pay for itself through improved broiler performance.

The discussion also explores:

Why the poultry sector lacks an agreed definition of “clean” drinking waterWhat conventional total viable count testing can—and cannot—tell producersHow bacterial levels changed as birds grew and water flow increasedWhy peroxide appeared more effective in some early-life conditionsWhy chlorine performance may be affected by higher temperaturesThe limitations of applying one water-treatment programme to every farmWhere further research is needed, including longer-lived poultry systemsHow producers should think about the cost, risk-management and assurance value of water sanitation

The episode opens with a look ahead to Poultry Network Live on 3 September, including sessions on poultry health, business management and artificial intelligence.