What if the biggest threat to your egg production wasn’t feed or housing, but the water your flock drinks every day? You might be surprised at the impact poultry water treatment can have on your farm’s profitability.
In the high-stakes world of commercial egg production, every detail counts – from laying and collecting to washing and packing. Each stage comes with its challenges, and optimizing conditions throughout is crucial for efficiency and quality. As poultry farming advances, so too do the technologies that help overcome these hurdles.
Water is a cornerstone of the egg production process, influencing everything from hen health to egg cleanliness. Scientific research shows that water quality directly affects critical factors like eggshell thickness and the mineral balance within both the eggs and the hens themselves. Moreover, poor water quality can lead to weaker eggshells, higher breakage rates, and reduced feed efficiency – ultimately hurting profitability.
This case study delves into the transformative role of advanced poultry water treatment solutions in large-scale egg production. It showcases how Clear Comfort’s Hydroxyl-Based AOP (advanced oxidation process) addresses key challenges and elevates egg production standards.
The Challenge
Water quality is a critical factor in commercial egg production. It influences everything from hen health to egg quality. For one of the largest egg producers, housing 3 to 3.5 million laying hens, water quality posed several challenges:
- Corrosion from High pH: The facility’s well water had high mineral and salt content, leading to a high pH level. This posed a risk of scaling and corrosion, threatening the longevity of the equipment and the overall efficiency of the operation.
- Egg Breakage Loss: The quality of the eggs was compromised, with significant breakage losses attributed to subpar shell quality. This was partly due to the influence of water quality on the shell’s mineral composition.
- Microbial Contamination: The facility struggled with microbial contamination due to untreated water, which included a side stream from a reverse osmosis (RO) system. High total coliform bacteria levels indicated inadequate microbial control.
The Solution
High-quality poultry drinking water is shown to enhance feed conversion efficiency and minimize egg breakage. To address these issues, Clear Comfort implemented a tailored water treatment solution:
- Hydroxyl-Based AOP Technology: This patented technology introduced oxidative hydroxyl radicals into the water stream. These radicals provided rapid microbial disinfection before the water entered the intermediate storage tank, significantly improving microbial control.
- SMART Dosing Technology: Clear Comfort’s SMART dosing system maintained precise pH control within a narrow range. This system, featuring an in-line injection loop, ensured consistent treatment even with fluctuating water flows. The technology also included alarm functions, interactive touch-screen inputs, and automated data logging for enhanced biosecurity and monitoring.
The Result
The Clear Comfort AOP solution yielded impressive results:
- Top-Tier Microbial Protection: Total coliform levels consistently stayed below the target threshold of 50 CFU/CC, ensuring superior biosecurity and a hygienic environment.
- Excellence in pH Regulation: The pH was maintained at a target value of 6.8 ±0.5 SU, with fluctuations kept within ±0.2 SU. This prevented scaling and corrosion, preserving the facility’s equipment.
- Improved Egg Quality: Enhanced water quality led to an increase in average eggshell thickness, reducing breakage losses. The egg-washing process became more effective, ensuring cleaner and higher-quality eggs.
- Enhanced Feed Conversion: The treated water contributed to better feed conversion rates, demonstrating increased efficiency in feed utilization.
- Validation for Expansion: The success of the initial implementation prompted the client to consider expanding the use of Clear Comfort AOP systems to other production facilities.
Revolutionizing Egg Production
This case study illustrates the profound impact that advanced water treatment solutions can have on large-scale egg production. Clear Comfort’s Hydroxyl-Based AOP technology demonstrated its value in enhancing overall production efficiency by addressing microbial contamination, pH imbalances, and improving egg quality. For egg producers looking to optimize their operations, this success story offers a valuable example of how innovative solutions can make a significant difference.
To dive deeper into the specifics of this case study and explore how similar solutions can benefit your egg production facility, download the full case study here.
For any further questions or to discuss tailored solutions for your operation, feel free to reach out to Clear Comfort Water.
