Summary
This narrative review synthesises the scientific literature on water nutrition in livestock and poultry, addressing both quantitative requirements and quality standards. The paper documents the physiological centrality of water to nutrient transport, thermoregulation, and waste elimination, and identifies key drivers of water demand including animal species, production stage, and environmental conditions. The authors argue that ensuring continuous access to adequate, safe water should be integrated into routine farm management and regulatory frameworks.
Regional applicability
The review is geographically non-specific and synthesises international literature, making findings broadly applicable to UK livestock and poultry systems. UK farm management and regulatory frameworks should reference these water quality and quantity standards when developing animal welfare and food safety protocols.
Key measures
Water intake volumes across species and production stages; body water composition (50–95% depending on species); physicochemical and microbiological water quality parameters; factors influencing water requirements (temperature, humidity, diet)
Outcomes reported
The review synthesises evidence on water intake requirements and physiological functions across livestock species, and compiles data on physicochemical and microbiological water quality standards necessary for animal health and food safety.
Topic tags
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