Released May 21, 2009

BROOKINGS, S.D. – Pigs need water to cope with heat stress, but their water intake directly impacts feed intake and gain.

That's according to South Dakota Cooperative Extension Swine Specialist Bob Thaler, who reminds swine producers to keep an eye on watering equipment and animal water intake.

"A good water-feed ratio for nursery and grow-finish pigs is 2.5 pounds of water to 1 pound of feed," Thaler said. "Water weighs a little more than 8 pounds per gallon, so the rule of thumb is three-tenths of a gallon water per pound of feed."

Thaler said that in most cases producers want pigs to eat 5 pounds of feed a day to gain 1.8 pounds daily, so each pig will need a minimum of 1.5 gallons of water every day as well.

"Most barns are designed to provide adequate water, but proper nipple height, functioning waterers, and a minimum of two waterers per station are essential in delivering the desired amount of water," said Thaler. "Nipple height should be adjusted throughout the pig's life, from 6 to 12 inches at weaning to 24 to 30 inches at market weight."

The water flow rate of a waterer may have the biggest impact on proper water delivery to animals, Thaler advised. Equipment should be checked to make sure it provides a flow rate of 14 ounces per minute for nursery pigs, 19 ounces per minute for grow-finish pigs, and 27 ounces per minute for the breeding herd.

"When measuring this flow rate, producers should do so between 3 and 9 p.m. - that's when peak water demand takes place," said Thaler. "Also, test the waterers in several pens randomly throughout the building, especially focusing on the pens farthest away from where the water source enters the barn."

Thaler said the water pressure might be OK closer to where the water line comes into the building but inadequate farther away, especially during times of heavy demand.

To determine flow rate, measure the amount of water flowing from a nipple for 30 seconds, and then multiply the amount collected by 2 to get an ounces-per-minute estimate.

"Water is essential for normal feed intake and growth, and by checking flow rates and inspecting watering equipment for function and height, producers can minimize heat stress as summer begins," Thaler said.

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http://agbionews.sdstate.edu/story.cfm?id=4725

Source: Bob Thaler, (605) 688-5435

Writer: Jarett C. Bies, (605) 688-4642, Jarett.Bies@sdstate.edu