Key words:Water, Chemical examination, Broiler farmsIn order to have a clear picture for chemical quality of drinking water used in some broiler farms, a total of 100 water samples were collected (each sample represents a farm); 56 samples from underground water and 44 from tap water. Samples were collected from broiler farms in different localities of Beheira Province during the period from July 2015 to June 2016. Chemical analysis was performed at the laboratory of Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University for determination of pH value, total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness, chlorides, ammonia, nitrites, phosphates and sulphates. In addition, iron and manganese levels were determined at the Central laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafr El Sheikh University by using standard methods of American Public Health Association (APHA), (2005) by Atomic Absorptions Spectrophotometer (Perkin Elmer-403). The obtained results showed that the mean values of pH value was 8.6135 ± 0.0676, TDS was 477.60 ±31.88, total hardness was 249.60 ± 13.89, chlorides was 217.20 ± 13.02, ammonia was 0.5366 ± 0.135, nitrites was 0.0263 ± 0.0038, phosphates was 0.0567 ± 0.027, sulphates was 261.81 ± 29.90, iron was 0.2101 ± 0.055and finally, manganese was 0.2176 ± 0.045. On comparing the recorded values of the examined parameters with the acceptable limits, it was observed that 43% of examined samples were exceed the acceptable limit for pH value, 25% were exceed the acceptable limit for chlorides contents, 16% were exceed the acceptable limit for ammonia contents, 39 % were exceed the acceptable limit for sulphates contents, 19% were exceed the acceptable limit for iron content and 26% were exceed the acceptable limit for manganese contents. Moreover, results of examination of tap water and ground water were compared and it was noticed that there was a significant difference between the mean values of pH, TDS, hardness, iron and manganese. The recorded results will assist to determine the experimental levels of some chemical pollutants required to study the effects of these pollutants on broiler immune response and performance.

Good water quality for livestock is critical for preserving animal health, ensuring the quality of animal products, supplying safe food, and increasing food production economics. Higher water levels of toxic compounds than permitted can impair meat, fat, eggs, and milk production, lower fertility, and represent public health hazards. Water picks up pollutants from its surroundings and those caused by animal and human activities. Many physicochemical parameters were used to ensure water quality, including pH, salt, taste, color, alkalinity, odor, and hardness. Water quality, directly and indirectly, impacts livestock performance and, thus, the poultry industry. Employing drinking water as a carrier of drugs still faces substantial barriers. The effectiveness of vaccinations and drugs is affected by inadequate water quality. Furthermore, contaminated water and poor nutrition negatively affect broiler chicken immunity, survival, and production. Antibiotics are widely utilized in poultry production to preserve animal health and growth. They can eliminate harmful bacteria in the gut, reduce the load on the immune system, optimize the digestive system, and boost growth performance. However, the abuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture has resulted in antibiotic-resistant infections threatening people and animals. As a result of its positive impact on the metabolome and gut microbiome, the natural antimicrobial combination could be used as an alternative; improving broiler chicken growth performance without negatively affecting the environment is currently paramount.

Occurrence of Enterococci as an indicator organism was investigated in 5 municipal slaughterhouses located in different provinces, Egypt. Altogether, 300 samples were taken, including slaughtered meat, water, and air samples beside swabs from floor, wall, and workers hand (50 samples/each). Statistical analytical results of Enterococci count showed that the highest mean value was recorded in the wall swabs (6.63×10 3 CFU/g) followed by hand swabs of workers then floor swabs then air samples then meat samples and lastly water samples. Additionally, it was recorded that the overall rate of Enterococci isolation was 12% (36 isolates); the highest rate of isolation was recorded in floor swabs (24%) followed by air samples (14%) then wall swabs and air samples (12% for each) and lastly meat samples (4%). Moreover, 20 Enterococcus faecalis isolates were biochemically identified and PCR was employed successfully to confirm the identification of E. faecalis isolates by detection of 16S rRNA specific for E. faecalis. Finally, antibiogram pattern of 20 E. faecalis isolates was investigated realizing that E. faecalis were resistant to Cefotaxime (60%), Amikacin and Linezolid (55 %), Rifampin (50%), Amoxiclav (45%) and Gentamycin and Vancomycin (40%) while it was observed that 80% of isolates were sensitive to Ciprofloxacin. Furthermore, molecular detection of Vancomycin resistance gene A (vanA) was performed by PCR, and it was amplified at 885 bp in 8 isolates only with percentage of 40%. Based on the recorded result, increased enterococci count in meat as well as abattoirs environment would have a clear influence on increasing the microbial load of meat so to ensure a high level of safety and lowering the carcasses contamination, HACCP program must be applied.