Using ultrasonic water meters as management tool early in the flock
Published:February 22, 2023
Summary
Water meters are used as a management tool to track daily water usage in poultry houses. Most mechanical water meters used in poultry housing can only measure water flow rates more than 0.25 gals/min which limits reliable measurement of water usage for birds that are less than four days of age. Producers can now accurately measure water usage within minutes of chicks being placed in the house by ...
We are using these Ultrasonic meters but water hardness in the water is interfing with the functioning of these meters.
Please share if any alternate solution available
Palanisamy Great comment. I have been working on water quality with farmers and if I would add a comment about the solution, it would be treating the water hardness beforehand. To reduce the water hardness, you may use reverse osmosis or an ion exchange system. Do not use ion-exchange if the water is already high in sodium unless using potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride. Acidification (for example citric acid) can be used to dissolve scale caused by hardness.
I just want to comment that I have used Ultrasonic water meters in quite hard water without having to reduce via ion-exchange, but I believe the key is water PH as Mohammad mentioned. Keep it below 6 to prevent the scale buildup.