Microbial Quality of Poultry Drinking Water in Some Poultry Farms in Bauchi, Nigeria

Abstract

Microbial quality of poultry drinking water from wells and borehole was assessed from four major poultry farms in Bauchi, Nigeria. Water sample was collected from each farm prior to distribution in the poultry drinkers, in to a sterile sample bottles labeled A, B, C and D for easy identification of the respective farms and samples. Lactose broth medium was used to detect lactose fermenting bacteria and to determine the most probable number (MPN) of coliform present per 100ml of water. Plates of lavine EMB agar, yeast extract agar and violet red bile agar were used for isolation and identification of the bacterial isolates in the water sample. The results revealed that 2100 MPN coliform/100ml were found in A, B and D while 30 MPN coliform/100ml was encountered in the water sample C. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella sp were found in all the water samples, with sample B and C having Streptococus fecali as an additional isolate. It was concluded that poultry drinking water in the four poultry farms studied was not safe enough for containing above safety limit of 350 coliform/100mls and presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria. Use of water sanitizers, improvement of water quality and monitoring were recommended. Key words: Microbial quality, poultry, drinking water, Bauchi metropolis, Nigeria