Investigating the Causes of Lime Deposits and Pipe Blockages in Poultry Farms
Clogging and blockage of water pipes during poultry rearing is one of the serious concerns of poultry farmers, as disruptions in water supply can inflict severe and sometimes irreparable damage to the flock. Additionally, the process of resolving such blockages often leads to stress for birds, which can negatively affect their health, appetite, and growth. This article explores the factors contributing to sedimentation and clogging in poultry farm water lines, including water-soluble additives like drugs and supplements, water hardness, and the importance of initial system cleaning before the start of the rearing cycle.
In the end, the role of acidifiers in reducing sediment and biofilm formation in water systems is discussed. Laboratory evidence suggests that continuous use of these compounds at proper concentrations can significantly prevent pipe clogging and improve the efficiency of the water supply system. More details on the impact of these compounds are presented later in the article.
Main Causes of Water Pipe Blockages During the Poultry Rearing Period
Maintaining a steady and uniform water flow throughout the rearing cycle is critical. Pipe blockages not only result in reduced water and medication intake by birds but also lead to stress, stunted growth, and digestive illnesses in the flock. Research indicates that these issues usually stem from a few specific factors:
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High water hardness, due to calcium and magnesium salts, gradually leads to lime deposits in pipe walls and nipples, ultimately resulting in pressure drop or full blockage.
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Use of water-soluble medications and supplements, which, if not fully dissolved or mixed incorrectly, can cause drug particle sedimentation, clogging sensitive parts of the system.
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Improper cleaning of water pipes before the cycle, leaving behind residue, biofilm, and previous contamination, significantly increases the chance of early blockage.
High Water Hardness and Lime Deposits in Water Pipes
Hard water, due to its high concentration of calcium and magnesium ions, quickly combines with carbonate/bicarbonate ions at moderate temperatures and slight evaporation, forming lime scale on pipe walls. These deposits often accumulate at drinking nipples, elbows, and narrowed sections. The sediment reduces the effective cross-section, increases hydraulic roughness, lowers flow rate, and eventually causes clogging. The rough surface also facilitates microorganism adhesion, leading to biofilm and algae formation, further exacerbating the blockage cycle.
Use of Medications and Supplements Added to Drinking Water
Many drugs and nutritional supplements in poultry farming are administered via the water supply system. However, how well these compounds dissolve plays a major role in preventing sediment and clogging. Improper attention to physical and solubility properties can lead to drug particles settling in the pipes, causing nipple clogging or layered buildup. Understanding drug categories based on solubility can help design a safer and more efficient usage plan.
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Drugs that dissolve easily in water and usually do not pose issues — includes most vitamin supplements and standard powder antibiotics.
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Drugs requiring proper mixing in warm water — insufficient mixing may result in minor but annoying sediments over time.
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Drugs likely to cause clogging, especially if used in cold water or in combination — improper use may result in immediate blockage risk.
Drugs That Require Proper Mixing for Safe Solubility
These include compounds like calcium fosfomycin, vitamin E, trisodium phosphate, magnesium phosphate, and potassium chloride. Known under commercial names like Fosbac, they are widely used as antibiotics in poultry. Tests show they must be thoroughly dissolved in warm water first, then added to the main water tanks to minimize sediment risk.
Additionally, some mineral-vitamin supplements — typically packaged in white and yellow powders — used every four days during the first 20 days of rearing, can significantly contribute to water line blockages. It is advised to completely dissolve the white powder in warm water beforehand. These are commonly used to support liver and kidney function, reduce stress, and improve appetite.
Drugs That Cause Sediment and Blockages
One notable example is Doxycycline 50%, which lab results show can cause 1–2 significant clogs within four days of use.
This effect worsens when doxycycline is combined with calcium fosfomycin products like Fosbac. The mix turns water dark brown, with suspended particles and heavy sedimentation, leading to severe clogging.
To mitigate this, especially in regions with hard water, using acidifiers at 300 ppm throughout the cycle is recommended. For instance, Acido, developed by Sant, is specifically designed to prevent lime and biofilm formation in poultry water systems and improve water supply stability.
Key Points and Conclusion
This article demonstrates that most water system blockage issues in poultry farms stem from improper use of water-soluble drugs and supplements. By adhering to technical guidelines and proper preparation steps, sediment and sludge formation can be avoided.
Key Recommendations:
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All powder medications must be dissolved in warm water first, and only after forming a homogeneous solution, added to the main drinking water tank.
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When using multiple drugs together, each should be dissolved separately before mixing in the tank. Combining undissolved drugs in dry form is a major cause of sedimentation.
Based on lab results, if you’re using Doxycycline 50% with calcium fosfomycin products like Fosbac, applying a 500 ppm Acido solution can effectively prevent sediment and sludge formation. Even if the final solution appears slightly cloudy with suspended particles, after 48 hours it shows no settled sediment.
In contrast, using the same mix without acidifier leads to rapid color change, sediment forms within 30 minutes, and after 48 hours, a large amount of brown sludge settles.
It’s worth noting these results were obtained in controlled lab settings with smooth surfaces. In real-world poultry pipes — often with biofilm layers and internal roughness — sediments form more quickly and extensively, making the risk of clogging significantly higher.
