Birds should have unlimited access to clean, fresh, good quality drinking water at all times. However
when water intake is naturally low, for example during dark periods when birds are inactive, control of
water supply may help to reduce unnecessary water leakage and corresponding litter problems. Any such
control must be managed with care; there must be no restriction in the amount of water offered to growing
birds and a balance must be found between growth, welfare and potential Footpad Dermatitis (FPD) risk.
Inadequate water supply, either in volume or in the number of drinking points, will result in reduced growth
rate. To ensure that the flock is receiving sufficient water, the ratio of water to feed consumed each day
should be monitored.