In a context of increasing pressure on natural resources, proper water management in poultry farming plays a key role in environmental sustainability. This Good Practice relies on the use of drinkers specifically adapted to broiler chickens and on the careful and regular maintenance of water lines, in order to reduce water losses, preserve litter quality, and ensure animal welfare. An example of a maintenance protocol implemented by a Label Rouge broiler farmer shows that a well-designed water system, adjusted to the animals’ needs, helps prevent leaks, reduce excess humidity in the barn, and maintain good drinking water hygiene. With the following measures in place, the farmer observed a significant reduction in early mortality, improved litter quality, and a notable decrease in water wastage:

• Appropriate equipment (stainless steel drinkers, drinkers with drip cups positioned underneath, lines with anti-perching systems),

• Regular flushing (up to three times per day during the chick phase),

• Precise adjustments of drinker height and water pressure
  

These measures, while inexpensive, are highly effective in supporting both technical and economic performance of broiler farms, while promoting bird health from the very beginning of the production cycle.