The water medication tank can accurately administer drugs when used correctly since only the amount of drug to be used is mixed in the system. But you must be certain that the correct amount of drug is added to the tank. Despite these advantages, medication tanks can be large, bulky, and difficult to clean. Proportioners work on a principle of water flow which provide either a siphoning effect or pumping action to meter out the correct amount of the drug. Several types of proportioners are available.
Most units are small and portable, but their accuracy is sometimes questioned.
Pressure fluctuations, poor or variable water quality, and drug insolubility have been shown to cause proportioner inaccuracies. When proportioners are used, their accuracy should be monitored. We all know the rule of thumb that a bird will drink 2 pounds of water for every pound of feed consumed. That rule, however, assumed a house temperature of 70 o F. Table 1 shows the effect of temperature on water and feed consumption. In warmer temperatures, the 2-pound rule underestimates drug consumption and overestimates consumption in cooler temperatures.