Assessment of Groundwater Quality and Its Impact on Poultry Farming in Haryana, India

Abstract

The quality of the water used for daily operations has a significant impact on the sustainability
and profitability of chicken farming. This research evaluates the physicochemical,
microbiological and heavy metal quality of groundwater from 100 chicken farms spread
throughout several regions of Haryana, India. The following parameters were analysed in
accordance with standard BIS and WHO guidelines: pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), total
hardness, calcium carbonate, nitrate, nitrite, chloride, fluoride, sulphate, coliform count, total
viable count (TVC) and lead contamination. The results indicated that a significant portion of
the water samples contained levels of TDS, hardness, nitrates, sulphates, fluoride, coliforms
and lead that were over permissible limits, with detrimental effects on public health,
productivity and poultry health. More over two-thirds of the samples included coliforms,
indicating a very high level of microbial contamination. According to the research, there is a
strong correlation between poor water quality and poor chicken performance indicators
including mortality, weight increase and feed conversion ratio. The study finds that in order to
support sustainable chicken production and safeguard public health in Haryana, effective
treatment methods, ongoing water quality monitoring and well-informed policy interventions
are absolutely necessary.