When the concept of water acidification was first introduced

to the poultry industry, its validity quickly became favorable.

Producers began to view lowering water pH below 4 as a

Necessary component to a salmonella control program.

However, as the adoption of water acidification programs

began to grow, misconceptions about methods for maximizing

Effectiveness and the ideal products to use grew

with it. Some producers began using products that actually

Enhance the growth of biofilm, such as citric acid.

It’s clear that continuing education plays a key role in the

Development of safe and effective water acidification programs;

programs which will become increasingly critical

as the number of antibiotic free (ABF), no human antibiotics

(NHA) and no antibiotics ever (NAE) operations continues

to grow, and with them the need for additional preventative

Measures against necrotic enteritis.

Varied Goals of Water Acidification Programs

Some of the confusion surrounding water acidification

programs stems from a failure to clearly define the goal of

the program–is it for waterline management or to directly

affect bird health? Managing waterlines is focused on

removing biofilm from drinker systems or making no potable

water, potable. These processes occur when the

house is empty using products that are not necessarily

FDA approved for bird consumption. Water acidification

directed at improving bird health requires an FDA-approved

product that will reduce pH levels without affecting the

palatability for bird consumption or allowing bacteria to

replicate.