Why use filtered water?
(5 minute read)
At Castors Pastures, we go one step further when hydrating our chickens.
We truly believe in providing them the best diet & hydration so you know exactly what goes into their body, goes into yours. Below, we explain the importance of using filtered water & the effect is has on our produce and your health.
"Filtered water is water that has undergone a filtration process to remove impurities, such as sediments, chemicals, bacteria and other contaminants"
Reduce
Microplastic Consumption
Microplastics are small pieces of plastic, less than 5 mm in length, that occur in the environment as a consequence of plastic pollution. These are present in a variety of products, from cosmetics, plastic bags to food & drinks and many of these products readily enter our environment in various ways.
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Did you know, studies have found that UK tap water can contain between zero and 10 microplastic particles per litre. These tiny plastic fragments can come from various sources, including the breakdown of larger plastic items and industrial processes.
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We specifically use filtered water for chicken hydration to remove microplastics which is important for several reasons:
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Health Concerns: Microplastics can carry harmful chemicals like pesticides and heavy metals, which may leach into the body upon ingestion. These contaminants can potentially affect the health of chickens, leading to issues such as reduced growth rates and compromised immune systems.
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Food Safety: If our chickens ingest microplastics, these particles can accumulate in their tissues and potentially enter the human food supply. This poses a risk to food safety and human health.
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Environmental Impact: Microplastics are pervasive in the environment and can contaminate water sources. By filtering water for chickens, we reduce the overall environmental load of microplastics, contributing to a healthier ecosystem.
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Trihalomethanes are chemical compounds that form as byproducts of water disinfection processes. They are created when disinfectants like chlorine react with organic matter in the water
All drinking water sources have potential to contain micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, which may cause serious illness. Drinking water supplies are therefore disinfected to destroy or inactivate such organisms.
Chlorine is the most common disinfectant added to drinking water in the world as it is an effective disinfectant. However, when it is added to water with organic matter (e.g. decaying plants and algae), by-products can form, the Trihalomethanes.
Trihalomethanes most commonly found in drinking water are Chloroform, Bromodichloromethane, Dibromochloromethane and Bromoform.
Long-term exposure to high levels of Trihalomethanes can pose several health risks, including an increased risk of cancer (especially bladder and colorectal cancer), liver and kidney damage, and potential reproductive and developmental issues
As a precautionary measure, the WHO drinking water guidelines are set to ensure a very low level of potential risk over a typical lifetime of consumption (i.e. 70 years). Short-term use of drinking water that exceeds guidelines is unlikely to have an impact on human health.
At Castors Pastures, we're not taking any risks and that's why we filter nasties out.
Safer for our birds, safer for you.
Reduce Trihalomethane
Consumption
