Water in Livestock and Poultry Nutrition: A Review on Consumption and Quality

This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of the use of water in livestock and poultry nutrition, focusing on both quantitative requirements and quality standards. The review is based on the evaluation and synthesis of the published scientific literature addressing water intake, physiological functions, and quality parameters in farm animals. It summarizes the physiological roles of water in key metabolic processes and examines the primary factors influencing water requirements, including animal species, stage of production, and environmental conditions. Furthermore, the article compiles available data on water intake across major livestock systems and outlines the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics required to ensure animal health and food safety. Water constitutes a large proportion of body weight, ranging from 50% to 95% depending on species, and is essential for nutrient transport, thermoregulation, and waste elimination. Water requirements are highly variable and influenced by multiple interacting factors, such as ambient temperature, humidity, and dietary composition. Ensuring continuous access to adequate quantities of safe, high-quality water is essential for optimizing animal health, productivity, and welfare and should be integrated into routine farm management and regulatory frameworks.