The success of any animal essentially requires a finely balanced intestinal environment associated with an effective low-energy cost immune system. This ensures optimal digestive, absorptive, and barrier function, in addition to a stable indigenous gut microflora. Harmful bacteria like E.coli or Salmonella may colonise the gastrointestinal tract thus establishing clinical and sub-clinical infections, ultimately affecting growth performance. A reduction in feed intake, daily live weight gain, feed efficiency and social interactions are generally observed in bacterial infected animals.

Furthermore, poultry are highly susceptible to opportunistic infections during the first few days after hatching. This observation has been attributed to the functional immaturity of the immune system immediately after hatching. To combat this constant threat of bacterial infections producers need establish an effective disease control programme incorporating all aspects of the production cycle. These measures include basic farm management and hygiene practices, and nutritional programmes designed to satisfy the animal’s requirements and promote gut health. This strategic plan should involve successful identification of each possible source of pathogen contamination and application of appropriate control measures to minimise the risk of infections.

However, another routine preventative measure which is often excluded from many biosecurity programmes is water quality and treatment. Water is essential for life, contributing a critical role within numerous biochemical reactions through the body including digestion, cellular respiration, absorption, enzymatic activity and excretion. Pathogenic microorganisms such as E.coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Vibrios, Hepatitis and Entamoeba can all be transmitted via water. Therefore, effective control measures are required to ensure drinking water quality remains consistent and eliminate the risk of potential waterborne disease outbreaks.

Optivite, one of Britain’s foremost animal nutrition companies, has developed a revolutionary new system which will automatically chlorinate and ensure the provision of safe drinking water for all livestock species. The Flogenic device is a self-contained water treatment unit which does not require any power and contains a simple quick connect attachment at the point of filling the water tank. Each Flogenic refill can automatically disinfect between 35,000L of water with 5ppm of free chlorine to 90,000L with 2ppm, and can be simply replaced when necessary.

Flogenic uses an organic chlorine donor approved for human consumption which lowers water pH. Lowering water pH is important because chlorine in water is much more effective at destroying harmful microorganisms in its acidic form and evidence indicates that water acidification improves animal growth performance. The degree of water disinfection provided by Flogenic (2-5ppm of chlorine) is sufficient to destroy microorganisms that cause diarrheal diseases and digestive disturbances and provide protection against re-contamination of water by sick animals.

The overall success and essentially profitability of any commercial animal production unit is largely dependent upon a strict, monitored and controlled biosecurity programme. Flogenic offers a vital and effective tool to ensure continuous provision of safe, disease free drinking water to breeders, layers and broilers.

Contact us now for further information and see how Flogenic can make a difference to your business. Email us at [email protected] or call our customer services team on +44-(0)1909-537380.