Veterinaria

Review Article

Effects of Water Quality on Productivity and Performance of Livestock: A Mini Review

Sajid Umar a, Tanveer Munir a, Tamoor Azeem a, Shahzad Ali b, Wajid Umar c, Abdur Rehman d, Muhammad Ali Shah *a

a Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan

b Department of Zoology PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan

c Department of Soil Sciences University of Agriculture Faisal Abad, Pakistan

d Department of Animal Nutrition, Universty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Water is principle constituent of living bodies and it is vital nutrient needed to sustain life. Water quality is an important parameter, directly or indirectly affecting feed intake and physiological health status of animals thus influencing on productivity and performance. Total dissolved solids [TDS], turbidity, temperature, mineral, pH, hardness, and microbial load are the quality determining factors of water. Livestock farmers are usually unaware of the importance of water quality for production and performance of livestock. They can make a big profit by reducing the productivity losses associated with water quality. This article tends to review water quality parameters and their effect on livestock production and performance.

Keywords: Mater quality, Livestock, Milk production, Animal health.

Received: Jan 01, 2014; Revised: Feb 28, 2014; Accepted: Mar 11, 2014

*Corresponding author: Muhammad Ali Shah; Email: alishah521@gmail.com