The value of good drinking water quality for healthy pigs
Water is the most important nutrient for pigs. In fact, pigs drink twice as much as they eat. A lactating sow can drink as much as 30 litres in a day. It is therefore crucial that pig farmers pay close attention to their water. After all, good drinking water quality has a big impact on pig health. Consider composition, hygiene and availability. Poor drinking water quality or lack of water availability can lead to health problems in pigs and lagging farm performance.
Water quality
Chemical water quality
When assessing drinking water quality, the first thing considered is the chemical properties of water. These properties affect palatability and availability. Factors that affect this include hardness, pH, iron content and manganese content. In particular, water from its own source may contain deviations in its chemical composition. Excessive iron and manganese levels can cause precipitation in the system, leading to blockages and leaking nipples.
Excessive hardness has no effect on health, but it can lead to limescale deposits, which can affect water availability. In addition, high water hardness also affects the amount of acid that needs to be dosed to lower the pH.
Microbiological water quality
Besides chemical constituents, microorganisms can also have an effect on drinking water quality. Bacteria, fungi and yeasts present in drinking water can indicate poor water hygiene and possible biofilm formation in drinking water pipes. Pathogens such as E. coli can also be transmitted through the drinking water, directly affecting pig health.
Biofilm is a slime layer on the inside of water pipes, in which a microenvironment has been formed by micro-organisms, often in combination with chemical precipitation. This layer provides nutrition and protection for the bacteria and ensures constant germ contamination in drinking water. The likelihood of biofilm development is increased by high temperatures, low flow rates, dead spots or residues of drugs and additives.
Microorganisms in drinking water can produce toxins that adversely affect the health of pigs. In addition, biofilm in the pipes also has an adverse effect on medication or additives added to drinking water. For example, antibiotics can become less effective.
To maintain microbiological water quality, it is important to have the water examined regularly and also to carry out periodic cleaning protocols, with stabilised hydrogen peroxide, for example. To ensure clean pipes, it is advisable to do a water check for the microbiological and chemical quality of the drinking water at least twice a year to detect invisible problems.
Water availability
Besides quality, water availability is also fundamental to pig health and performance. There must be sufficient drinking points and optimal flow in the pipes. Different values apply for each stage of production.
Pigs almost always drink via nipple drinkers. The flow rate of these should be sufficient for pigs to drink enough water at once. Clogged nipples can drastically reduce water intake. Not only chemical deposits can block the nipples, but also biofilm particles in the nipples can compromise sufficient flow. It is therefore important to regularly measure the flow rate at the nipple. This can easily be done yourself, by filling a measuring cup at the nipple and keeping track of the flow per minute.
| Parameter | Dry and gestating sows | Lactating sows | Weanling piglets | Fattening pigs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nipple flow rate (per minute) | 1 litre | 2.5 litres | 500 ml | 1 litre |
| Average water intake (per day) | 10-12 litres | 25 litres | 1.5 litre | 5 litres |
| Drinking spots | 1 per 8-10 sows | 1 per sow | 1 per 10 piglets | 1 per 8 pigs |
Weaned piglets need at least one drinking spot per 10 piglets. It is advisable to provide additional drinking spots by means of piglet bowls during the first few days after weaning to encourage water intake as much as possible. Fattening pigs generally drink large volumes. At least one drinking spot is needed for every 8 fattening pigs with a flow rate of at least 1 litre per minute. For pregnant sows in group housing, there should be enough drinking places, at least two per group, so that animals lower in rank also have sufficient access to drinking water. With lactating sows, availability is most important, as this group has the highest water demand. A sow high in lactation can drink as much as 30 litres or more per day. This intake occurs in short drinking sessions,where the flow rate should be at least 2.5 litres per minute.
Impact on pig performance
Quality and availability of water directly affects production results of pigs. Poor drinking water quality affects pig health and thus the ability of piglets and fatteners to grow efficiently. In weanling piglets, too low water intake before and after weaning causes a dip in feed intake. This increases the risk of weaning dip. Encouraging piglets to drink water before weaning and providing additional drinking water facilities after weaning will help maintain water intake.
In lactating sows, poor drinking water quality and availability affects her milk yield and therefore piglet growth. Water is also very important in pregnancy. Sufficient and good quality drinking water in pregnancy reduces the risk of urinary tract infections after farrowing and therefore reduced fertility.
Sufficient drinking water of good quality is therefore vital for the health and performance of sows, piglets and fattening pigs alike. It is essential to pay attention to both the chemical and microbiological quality of drinking water and check it regularly. All animals should be able to drink as needed, so ensure sufficient drinking spots with adequate flow rates appropriate to the age or production stage of the animal. After all, water is the most important nutrient for healthy pigs and it pays to actively think about water quality and supply on a pig farm.
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