Pheasant poults and water with E coli ( potentially)

[countrryboy]

Alright folks.

Just wondering from the more informed on rearing/game farming.

And possibly a stupid question as we all know poults just love to find new ways to die.

Would water that may have some E Coli in it be safe to put in a tank for a pheasant pen?

I know this sounds bad and a daft thing if I know it might have E Coli.
But the supply is simply an open field drain, not running a lot of water.
Originally comes from a hill sheep grazing field ( fairly lightly grazed) then runs through 3 or 400m of woodland.
So pretty natural source that they could be drinking out of anyway when released.
So not some sort of toxic cess pool.

The reason I state it has E coli is that used to be our secondary private water supply for the houses.
Until they disconnected it as it had E coli, but I don't imagine any more than any other burn that runs through a field.
But enough for it not to be advisable to drink ( this was in the days before UV filters)

I have sort of claimed the disconnected system as my 'outdoor' water, so I can pressure wash or mix concrete etc in summer time without worrying about using all the private water for my neighbours.
It's been plumbed into my kennels for yonks and dogs never bother ( but I've seen the sh#tty puddles dogs love drinking out off )

Were just filling up the tanks the now before birds come and are trying not to take any more out farm supply as its a private water supply and things are fairly dry ( ish) the now for here.
And May is always the worst month for private systems.

Am I worrying too much, since ive had my dogs on it for years?
But last thing I want to do is take water up and those pens go down with a disease.
And even if completely unrelated i ll still get the blame.

Cheers.

 

[HonestJohn]

I would stop using that water source entirely if I was you, esp for animals, cleaning things, watering kitchen garden etc

 

[Bo Diddley]

Depends what strain of E.coli it is, some are harmless, others not so.
Run the water for the animals through a UV light. Bob's your uncle...

 

[The Singing Stalker]

I went to a BASC meeting and there was a vet there discussing rearing pheasants, and he was emphasising the need for cleanliness of water and even scrubbing out IBC's etc.
So, based on that. I wouldn’t advise using it.

 

[Buchan]

"It depends"
E.coli is a gut bacteria of many animals, especially birds and mammals, but can also survive in the soil. It is mostly harmless, but can be a problem. So if a field drain has levels enough to make the water unfit for people, it's unfit for animals to drink. Even though they'd be able to drink from an open river and even though the chances are they'd be OK. Because these are young animals with an immature immune system, and relatively crowded (compared to the wild) and relatively inbred, they'll be more susceptible to infection.
So UV filter or mains

 

[countrryboy]

Cheers folks, thats answered that.


I must admit I'm not sure the farm water from the shed will be all that much better.
It comes from the next field over and definitely no UV in the shed.
As will be the norm for most farm buildings.

That supply has been used for dr8nking in the houses the since 1850s I'd guess, its only since the 80s or 90s ( possibly even later) it was condemned.

But it does take the blame off me!!

I had thought of most of the highlighted problems but thought might just be worrying too much ( and I possibly am, but npt worth the risk)
Plus the added thing those birds are relying on that water potentially 100%.
Once released they may very well drink out the same burn/ditch but they will be drinking from different places too.
So diluting any problems.

I can imagine like many things with poults even if its a bad kind of E coli, just like bad husbandry etc,
U might get away with it for years but then u get some outside stresses weather, predators etc and it will go down hill very quick.
And ur in a world of trouble.
Just another nail in coffin.

Cheers again folks.

 

[Dillon]

There’s a simple rule to follow, it’s much easier to say but not quite so easy to do. The rule is if you wouldn’t drink the water out of the vessel, don’t expect your birds too, but of course they will.
The advice above mine is very valid, anything that challenges a birds immune system opens the door to Cocci, Hex and Trich.

 

[jall55]

Cheers folks, thats answered that.


I must admit I'm not sure the farm water from the shed will be all that much better.
It comes from the next field over and definitely no UV in the shed.
As will be the norm for most farm buildings.

That supply has been used for dr8nking in the houses the since 1850s I'd guess, its only since the 80s or 90s ( possibly even later) it was condemned.

But it does take the blame off me!!

I had thought of most of the highlighted problems but thought might just be worrying too much ( and I possibly am, but npt worth the risk)
Plus the added thing those birds are relying on that water potentially 100%.
Once released they may very well drink out the same burn/ditch but they will be drinking from different places too.
So diluting any problems.

I can imagine like many things with poults even if its a bad kind of E coli, just like bad husbandry etc,
U might get away with it for years but then u get some outside stresses weather, predators etc and it will go down hill very quick.
And ur in a world of trouble.
Just another nail in coffin.

Cheers again folks.

Clean water required - also suggest using an electrolyte

To stop water "fouling" in IBCs use the covers - saved us loads of time and effort

And dont forget the grit