[Experiences with the testing of the microbial count in drinking water from two laying hen battery sheds]

Samples of drinking water were taken from different sites of two laying hen battery cage barns at 10 days during four months. The result of the bacteriological investigation showed large differences. Up to 5000 CFU/ml were found in the water of the pressure supply vessel. Samples taken from the nipple drinkers even showed higher numbers. It seems that the heterogeneous results are not primarily caused by the methods used. It is assumed that there are still unknown factors present in the drinking water supply system of laying hen battery cage barns which influence the germ content in the drinking water.