IPSF: Nitrate-contaminated drinking water Elevated levels of nitrate in drinking water may pose risks to broiler health29 July 2026 29 July 2026 1 minute read 1 minute read By: By: Chris Wright North America[Excerpts of a poster presentation during the 2026 International Poultry Scientific Forum]Nitrate contamination of groundwater is an emerging concern in poultry production, as elevated levels in drinking water may pose risks to bird health and physiological function. Faija S. Pory and colleagues from Texas A&M University, USA, and Tennessee State University, USA, conducted two controlled trials to evaluate the impact of nitrate contaminated drinking water on early broiler performance, with nitrate levels prepared using ammonium nitrate. The following parameters were measured for all treatment diets: body weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed utilization, water intake, mortality percentage, relative organ (liver, heart, spleen) weight, amount of methemoglobin, and amino acid digestibility. No significant differences were observed among treatments in body weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion, water intake, mortality percentage, or relative organ weights (liver, heart, spleen) in either experiment. Overall, these findings indicate that early-age broilers can tolerate moderate nitrate concentrations in drinking water without major impacts on growth performance or organ development, although elevated nitrate levels do increase methemoglobin formation.