GUIDE TO THE USE OF SALINE WATERS FOR LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY
| Total Soluble Salts content of waters (mg/L) |
| Less than 1,000 |
Relatively low level of salinity. Excellent for all classes of livestock and poultry. |
| 1,000 - 2,999 |
Very satisfactory for all classes fo livestock and poultry. May cause temporary and mild diarrhea in livestock not accustomed to this level of salinity and may cause watery droppings in poultry. |
| 3,000 - 4,999 |
Satisfactory for livestock, but may cause temporary diarrhea or be refused at first by animals not accustomed to this level of salinity. Poor waters for poultry, often causing water feces, increased mortality, and decreased growth, especially in turkeys. |
| 5,000 - 6,999 |
Can be used with reasonable safety for dairy and beef cattle, for sheep, swine, and horses. Avoid use for pregnant or lactating animals. Not acceptable for poultry. |
| 7,000 - 10,000 |
Unfit for poultry and probably for swine. Considerable risk in using for pregnant or lactating cows, horses, or sheep, or for the young of these species. In general use should be avoided, although older ruminants, horses, poultry, and swine may subsist on them under certain conditions. |
| Over 10,000 |
Risk with these highly saline waters are so great, that they cannot be recommended for use under any conditions. |