Assessment of Physicochemical Properties and Microbial Quality of Water on Broiler Farms in Bosnia and Herzegovina
2025
Azra Bašić-HALİLOVİĆ | Azra BAČİĆ
Water plays a critical role in broiler production. The use of contaminated water can result in infections, contamination of animal products, and is unsuitable for drug administration. This study assessed the physicochemical and microbiological quality of water used on poultry farms producing broilers in the northeastern region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The majority of broiler farms had private wells (n =58) or public water supplies (n = 34). Mean values for turbidity (NTU), pH, KMnO4 consumption (mg/L), chlorides (mg/L), ammonia (mg/L), nitrates (mg/L), nitrites (mg/L) and, conductivity (µS/cm) were as follows: 0.16±0.04; 7.51±0.25; 1.37±0.64; 11.91±10.49; 0.09±0.31; 12.78±13.64; 0.06±0.09 and 612.61±216.40, respectively. Ammonia and nitrates exceeded the recommended standard in one sample. Total coliform, E. coli and Enterococcus sp. were detected in 41.30 %, 22.83% and 34.78% samples, respectively. We did not find significant differences in microbial load between poultry farms with public water service to private water wells. The water used on poultry farms has satisfactory physicochemical properties but a high microbial load and could represent a potential source of pathogens. This indicates that water from poultry farms needs more treatment to improve its microbiological quality. Regular monitoring of water utilized in poultry farms is essential for preventive measures.
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