When it comes to raising healthy, productive chickens, the quality and cleanliness of their feed and water are crucial. Just like us, chickens need good nutrition to thrive, and that starts with the food and water we provide. Both the nutritional value and overall quality of the feed play a big role in your chickens' health and performance.

The quality of feed is influenced by how it’s treated, stored, and maintained. If these factors aren’t up to par, harmful substances can sneak into your chickens’ diet. We’re talking about things like bacteria, soil, dust, and even heavy metals, which nobody wants in their eggs or meat.

Poor feed hygiene can also lead to spoilage caused by mould and bacteria, which, in turn, decreases the feed’s nutritional value by reducing  essential vitamins like A, D3, E, K, and B1.

This is where proper feed hygiene comes into play. Keeping your chickens’ feed clean isn’t just about avoiding the bad stuff; it’s about preserving the good stuff too. One of the most practical solutions to help you maintain feed and water hygiene is Salgard Liquid. Salgard is specially designed to tackle the challenges of feed and water hygiene by controlling bacterial and mould growth, ensuring your flock stays healthy and their feed stays fresh.

→ Buy Salgard Feed Hygiene Liquid

Keeping Your Chicken Feed Clean and Safe

To keep your chicken feed clean and safe, follow a few key practices.

Start with proper feed storage to minimise contamination. Whether you're buying feed or making your own, it's equally important.

Protecting feed quality isn't just about health, it's also about cost— feed makes up 65-80% of poultry production costs, so keeping it clean and nutritious is crucial. Store feed in cool, dry conditions to prevent mould and bacteria growth.

Also, consider using hygiene products like Salgard Liquid to help keep your feed free from harmful bacteria and mould.

Whether you’re buying feed from the store or mixing up your own at home, each option comes with its own set of challenges. Store-bought feed is often more convenient, but it can be more prone to contamination due to the large-scale handling and storage processes it goes through. However, it’s worth noting that many reputable manufacturers participate in programs like FeedSafe®, which help ensure the quality and safety of their feed.

The FeedSafe® certification allows feed manufacturers to demonstrate that they meet strict legal requirements, industry standards, and customer specifications. To earn this certification, manufacturers must document how key procedures are performed, monitored, and recorded, ensuring that the feed consistently meets these high standards. This certification provides peace of mind that the feed you’re purchasing has been handled with care and meets rigorous hygiene standards.

On the other hand, homemade feed might be fresher, and you have full control over the ingredients, but it requires strict hygiene practices to keep it safe. Without the controls and certifications like those provided by FeedSafe®, the risk of contamination can be higher if you’re not careful.

Another important factor to consider, especially in Australia’s summer heat, is how quickly feed can spoil. High temperatures can cause feed to go bad in a short amount of time, leading to potential health risks for your chickens.

Rats Cause Feed Hygiene Issues

One more thing to keep in mind is the issue of pests like rats.

Rats aren’t just a nuisance—they can also contaminate your feed with droppings, urine, and diseases. Keeping your feed in secure, rodent-proof containers is a must

If you’re facing a rodent problem, check out our range of rat control solutions to keep your feed safe and your chickens healthy.

How Feed Hygiene Can Affect Your Chickens' Health

Contaminated feed can introduce harmful pathogens into your flock, leading to serious health issues that can affect both their well-being and productivity.

Key Pathogens

Several bacteria are particularly troublesome in poultry feed. Clostridium perfringens is one of the main culprits, known for causing necrotic enteritis, a severe intestinal disease in chickens. This bacterium is commonly found in ingredients like meat, bone meal and fish meal, making it a real threat if your feed isn't properly managed.

Salmonella is another dangerous pathogen, with over 2,700 serotypes that can affect both animals and humans. It’s particularly notorious in eggs and poultry meat, where it can spread rapidly if not controlled.

Then there’s E. coli, which can cause serious illness in poultry, especially young chicks. This bacterium often finds its way into feed, leading to outbreaks of disease that can devastate a flock.

In addition to bacteria, mould contamination is another significant risk. Moulds in feed don’t just spoil the feed; they also reduce its nutritional value, leading to lower feed intake and poorer health outcomes for your chickens. Worse still, mould spores can cause respiratory diseases, and the mycotoxins produced by moulds can severely affect your chickens' performance and health.

Using Feed Hygiene Liquid to Keep Feed Fresh

Given these risks, keeping your chickens' feed clean and safe is essential, and that's where Salgard Liquid comes in.

Solutions for Feed Hygiene

While various methods exist to sanitise feed, Salgard Liquid offers a convenient and effective solution.

Unlike some traditional sanitisers like formaldehyde and propionic acid, which are used to reduce bacterial counts and prevent diseases like necrotic enteritis, Salgard Liquid provides a simpler, safer alternative that’s easy to use at home.

Salgard Liquid works by preventing bacterial and mould growth in your chickens' feed. This is crucial not only for keeping the feed fresh but also for making it easier to digest and safer for your flock.

→ Buy Salgard Feed Hygiene Liquid

Making Sure Your Chickens Have Clean Water

Water is just as important as feed when it comes to keeping your chickens healthy and productive.

Unfortunately, water can become contaminated fairly quickly, especially in warm climates. The moment water is exposed to the elements, it starts attracting bacteria, algae, and other contaminants that can pose a serious risk to your flock.

How Long It Takes for Water to Contaminate and How It May Happen

In warmer climates, it doesn’t take long at all for water to start going bad. Bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella can multiply rapidly in standing water, especially when the temperature rises. Within just a few hours, your chickens’ drinking water can go from clean and safe to a breeding ground for harmful pathogens.

The way water is provided to your chickens also matters. Open water sources, like bowls or troughs, are more prone to contamination because they’re exposed to dust, dirt, and droppings.

Even if you’re using a chicken waterer that’s designed to minimise contamination, it’s still important to clean it regularly and use products that help keep the water fresh and safe.

Solutions for Water Hygiene

Keeping your chooks' water clean is just as important as ensuring their feed is safe, and Salgard Liquid makes that job a whole lot easier. By adding a bit of Salgard Liquid to their drinking water, you can stop nasty bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella from taking hold.

Salgard Liquid works by making the water less inviting for bacteria, keeping it fresher and safer for longer. It’s a simple and effective way to make sure your chooks always have access to clean, uncontaminated water, which is key to keeping them healthy and productive.

Adding Salgard Liquid to your daily routine is an easy step that can have a big impact. Not only does it help keep the water clean, but it also gives you peace of mind, knowing your chickens are drinking water free from harmful bugs. This small change can go a long way in looking after the health and happiness of your flock.

And while you're at it, consider upgrading to our Dine-A-Chook chicken drinkers. They’re designed to minimise contamination, making it even easier to keep your chooks' water clean and fresh. It’s another simple way to ensure your flock stays in top shape!

Other Tips for Keeping Feed and Water Clean

Beyond using Salgard Liquid, there are a few more things you can do to keep your chickens’ feed and water clean and safe. Proper storage and regular cleaning are key to maintaining hygiene and avoiding contamination.

Start by storing your feed in a cool, dry place. Moisture is a big problem when it comes to feed hygiene because it encourages mould and bacteria to grow. Using airtight containers is a great way to keep moisture out and also stop pests like rats from getting in and contaminating your feed with droppings or urine. Check out our storage solutions for options that can help.

For water, make sure you’re using waterers that minimise contamination, like our Dine-A-Chook poultry drinkers. These are designed to keep dirt and debris out of the water. Whatever type of waterer you use, it’s important to clean it regularly. A good habit is to rinse and refill your water containers regularly and to disassemble and deep clean them at least every few months.

The same goes for feeders. Empty them out and clean them regularly to prevent old feed from building up and becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and mould. Our chicken feeders are designed to make this process as easy as possible.

By combining these good storage and cleaning practices with the regular use of Salgard Liquid, you can significantly reduce the risk of contamination and keep your chickens healthy and productive.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Feed Hygiene

How can I tell if my feed is contaminated?

If your feed is contaminated, you might notice a musty smell, clumping, or visible mould growth. Contaminated feed may also attract pests like insects or rodents. If you spot any of these signs, it’s time to replace the feed.

What are the signs of mould in feed?

Mouldy feed usually has a distinct smell and an unusual appearance. You might see discolored spots or a fuzzy coating. If you suspect mould, it’s best to discard the feed immediately to avoid any health risks for your chickens.

How does poor water hygiene affect egg production?

Clean water is essential for your chickens' health and hydration. Contaminated water can lead to infections and stress, which can significantly reduce egg production. To keep your water clean, consider using our Dine-A-Chook poultry drinkers that are designed to minimise contamination.

What should I do if I suspect my feed has gone bad?

If you think your feed has spoiled, the safest option is to dispose of it. Feeding contaminated or spoiled feed to your chickens can lead to serious health problems. Always store feed properly, using airtight containers to keep it fresh.

Can I use Salgard Liquid with other hygiene products?

Yes, Salgard Liquid can be used alongside other hygiene practices. However, it's designed to be highly effective on its own, so you might find it covers all your needs without the need for additional products.

How does Salgard Liquid compare to other feed hygiene solutions?

Salgard Liquid offers a convenient, easy-to-use solution that effectively controls both bacterial and mould growth. It’s a simple and reliable option for everyday use, making it easier to keep your chickens’ feed and water safe.

Try Salgard Liquid today and see the difference it can make for your flock!