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Water quality control in animal production

NEUBACID SM LIQUIDNEUBACID SOFT IV+CLORIOUS 2

Whereas drinking water constitutes the single biggest nutrient for livestock, the importance of its quality and impact on production and performance is often overlooked. Substandard water quality can adversely affect digestion and absorption of nutrients from the feed, as well as additives like medications and vitamins. Poor water quality can undermine resistance to disease and infections, which has a direct impact on antibiotic usage and veterinary costs. High performance animals in today’s commercial livestock operations are increasingly less tolerant of stressors such as poor water quality. Treating drinking water with organic acids can help offset the negative effects of low water quality on performance and health. The use of organic acids in water controls undesirable microorganisms by reducing pH and also directly.Lower pH in the stomach, as a result of organic acid addition, could also induce increased activity of proteolytic enzymes and improve productive parameters. (DWG, FCR)

Organic acid (RCOOH) in contrast with inorganic acid can penetrate the cell wall of bacteria. Especially short chain fatty acids like formic, propionic can penetrate the cell wall. In the intercellular sphere at neutral pH the acids dissociate. In order to survive the surplus of H+, ions have to be eliminated. This is such a strong energy demanding process, that the bacteria die. The dissociated anion (RCOO-) of the acid has a disruptive effect on DNA synthesis, the mechanism responsible for cell replication. A combination of organic acids with different pKa values is usually more effective in inhibiting microbial growth in water. The addition of organic acids to drinking water may aid in an antimicrobial strategy and support digestion in the digestive tract of the animal. However, the main source of microbial (re)contamination of the drinking water, the biofilm, is not removed by organic acids. This protective slime layer produced by bacteria is attached to the inner layer of

the drinker lines. Biofilm acts as a breeding ground for a broad spectrum of micro-organisms providing pathogens a safe haven to survive and flourish. Detached biofilm deposits can easily clog drinking nipples restricting free water flow and (re)contaminate water, which jeopardises flock health. Therefore, removal of the biofilm is imperative for securing persistent microbiological control of the drinking water throughout the farm. Where organic acids and commonly used biocides such as sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide have no or only limited effect, chlorine dioxide, being a true gas dissolved in water, is capable to diffuse through the biofilm and inactivate all microorganisms present. As a result, the gelatinous mass production stops and dead biofilm is stripped from the surface. Chlorine dioxide eliminates pathogens on initial application and leaves a downstream residual to prevent recontamination. For this reason, chlorine dioxide is increasingly gaining popularity among livestock farmers across Europe.

Contrary to sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide exhibits antimicrobial efficacy over a wide pH range (2-10). This unique property allows acidification of the water without counteracting biocidal efficacy and overdosing. As such the zootechnical benefits of applying organic acids may be complemented by the benefits of using chlorine dioxide. To assess the impact of organic acids, chlorine dioxide, and a combination of these two on the growth performances of broilers under field conditions, two in vivo studies were conducted at an experimental farm in Belgium.

• Ingredients:Neubacid SM Liquid: formic acid, ammonium formiate, propionic acid, lactic acidNeubacid Soft IV+: formic acid, propionic acid, sodium lignosulphonateClorious 2: chlorine dioxide

Study

Introduction

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During the first poultry trial (Poulpharm Belgium Study – P1611-VS, 28.04.2016, Ross 308, 26000 fattening chickens – 4 groups) it was shown, that experimental group: Clorious2 and Neubacid SM Liquid significantly lowered the overall mortality: -0.9% (Tab 1) and had a positive impact on zootechnical perfor-mances.

In comparison with the group in which the water was not cleaned, cleaning with a combination of Clorious2 and Neubacid SM Liquid could increase the body weightin 35 days and daily weight gain from D1-D35 with 6.8% and 6.7%, (Tab 2, 3) respectively. As daily feed intake was similar to the one of the blanc group, the combined cleaning of Clorious2 and Neubacid SM Liquid resulted in overall lower FCR (-6.3%) (Tab 4).

Treatment with Neubacid SM Liquid alone, could not increase the body weight or daily weight gain, but induced a remarkable

reduction in daily feed intake, resulting also in a clear reduction of the FCR (-10.1%).

During the second poultry trial (Poulpharm Belgium Study – P1640-VS, Ross 308, 25000 fattening chickens – 4 groups) it was shown that treatment of drinking water with Clorious2, Neubacid SM Liquid and combination of Clorious2 with Neubacid SM Liquid significantly lowered the overall mortality (-1.1%, -1.5% and -0.5% respectively (Tab 5). Single Clorious2 treatment had also positive impact on zootechnical performances. In comparison with the group in which the water was not treated, treatment with combination of Clorious2 could increase the body weight in 35 days and daily weight gain from D1-D35 with 4.4% and 4.5%, respectively. As daily feed intake was however higher than that of the blank group, the treatment of Clorious2 resulted in an overall similar FCR.

Study

Tab 1: Percentage mortality in different treatment groups from D1-D35

THE FIRST POULTRY TRIAL (POULPHARM BELGIUM STUDY – P1611-VS, 28.04.2016,ROSS 308, 26000 FATTENING CHICKENS – 4 GROUPS)

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Tab 2: Mean body weight (g) per group on different study days

11 02 10

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

35

study day

body

wei

gt (

g)

Blanc

Neub liq + Clorious2

Neub Soft

Neub liq

Tab 3: Mean daily weight gain (g) per group in different study periods

Blanc

Neub liq + Clorious2

Neub Soft

Neub liq 0

20

40

60

80

100

D1-D10 D10-D21D 21-D35 D1-D35

body

wei

gt (

g)

5

Tab 4: Feed conversion ratio (FCR) for different study periods

Blanc

Neub liq + Clorious2

Neub Soft

Neub liq

Tab 5: Percentage mortality in different treatment groups from D1-D39

D1D10 D10D21 D21D35 D35D39 D1D35 D1D39

Neubacid SM Liquid, Clorious2 and combined Neubacid SM liquid and Clorioius2 treatment had a significantly lower mortality from D1-D35 and D1-D39 than the blank group.

This was mainly due to a lower mortality during the first ten days, so these animals had a better start up.

THE SECOND POULTRY TRIAL (POULPHARM BELGIUM STUDY – P1640-VS,ROSS 308, 25000 FATTENING CHICKENS – 4 GROUPS)

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