Poultry is one of the most common sources of protein in the population's diet. Every year, millions of chickens are slaughtered. The meat is versatile and can be used in several different applications. Chicken farming therefore takes place on a mass scale. Large installations housing thousands of chickens need a reliable water supply, and a constant flow water supply for chickens is one such piece of equipment.
A constant flow system typically consists of a large storage tank with multiple outlet pipes. The pipes have nipples on their ends, and they extend into the area in which the chickens are kept. The chickens open the nipples through the pressure of their beaks. The system's use requires no labor except maintenance, but there are some factors that should be remembered.
It is much easier for a chicken to die of dehydration than a person, particularly where they are exposed to the sun. In unbroken sunshine, the chicken can die in mere hours. Its body mass is tiny compared to a person's, perhaps not even 5lb (2.5kg). Temperature changes are more severe to it, so what a person experiences as minor is potentially lethal to the bird. Sudden shifts in temperature can cause the bird to experience stress. Stress is a known killer among farm animals.
Another issue is the loss of electrolytes. People can suffer from the same problem. Electrolytes are found in salts, such as table salt and other mineral compounds in the diet. They are lost by people through their sweating or urination. Chickens also need electrolytes, since they have muscle tissue and a nervous system, just like other animals. Sodium and potassium, two important electrolytic ions, are necessary in the nerves.
Dehydration in chickens has distinct symptoms which become worse as the problem progresses. Initially, the chicken exhibits a pale head or face. This may still be the symptom of another ailment, since it is associated with certain other sicknesses. But where the bird then starts to struggle to breathe, the chance of dehydration becomes stronger.
Left unassisted, the bird then develops diarrhea. This is much more conspicuous and necessitates intervention. However, this can also be the symptom of a disease which may in turn be causing the dehydrated condition. Alimentary ailments typically cause a loss of fluid, so the accompanying symptoms may well be interrelated in the infection and the bird is potentially not suffering from dehydration alone.
In its terminal stage, the bird starts to undergo convulsions. These are spasms which are interrupted by periods of immobility and limpness. The spasms are marked by pointless kicking motions with the feet and tetanus-style neck flexing backwards. It is difficult to prevent death once the chicken has descended into this phase.
The bird can be saved at any stage of the condition, but should preferably be treated sooner rather than later. It will require personalized attention at first, but once it has recovered sufficiently to drink on its own it should be supplied with enough water or moistened feed. Also make sure that it has electrolytes to replenish its metabolic levels of these compounds.
A constant flow system typically consists of a large storage tank with multiple outlet pipes. The pipes have nipples on their ends, and they extend into the area in which the chickens are kept. The chickens open the nipples through the pressure of their beaks. The system's use requires no labor except maintenance, but there are some factors that should be remembered.
It is much easier for a chicken to die of dehydration than a person, particularly where they are exposed to the sun. In unbroken sunshine, the chicken can die in mere hours. Its body mass is tiny compared to a person's, perhaps not even 5lb (2.5kg). Temperature changes are more severe to it, so what a person experiences as minor is potentially lethal to the bird. Sudden shifts in temperature can cause the bird to experience stress. Stress is a known killer among farm animals.
Another issue is the loss of electrolytes. People can suffer from the same problem. Electrolytes are found in salts, such as table salt and other mineral compounds in the diet. They are lost by people through their sweating or urination. Chickens also need electrolytes, since they have muscle tissue and a nervous system, just like other animals. Sodium and potassium, two important electrolytic ions, are necessary in the nerves.
Dehydration in chickens has distinct symptoms which become worse as the problem progresses. Initially, the chicken exhibits a pale head or face. This may still be the symptom of another ailment, since it is associated with certain other sicknesses. But where the bird then starts to struggle to breathe, the chance of dehydration becomes stronger.
Left unassisted, the bird then develops diarrhea. This is much more conspicuous and necessitates intervention. However, this can also be the symptom of a disease which may in turn be causing the dehydrated condition. Alimentary ailments typically cause a loss of fluid, so the accompanying symptoms may well be interrelated in the infection and the bird is potentially not suffering from dehydration alone.
In its terminal stage, the bird starts to undergo convulsions. These are spasms which are interrupted by periods of immobility and limpness. The spasms are marked by pointless kicking motions with the feet and tetanus-style neck flexing backwards. It is difficult to prevent death once the chicken has descended into this phase.
The bird can be saved at any stage of the condition, but should preferably be treated sooner rather than later. It will require personalized attention at first, but once it has recovered sufficiently to drink on its own it should be supplied with enough water or moistened feed. Also make sure that it has electrolytes to replenish its metabolic levels of these compounds.
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