Research Describes Water Consumption Patterns in Swine

March 23, 2006 — 

Research conducted by swine extension specialist Michael Brumm at the University of Nebraska describes the drinking water consumption patterns of swine in various production categories.

His findings indicate that within a 24-hour period, grow-finish and gestating swine exhibit peak water consumption in late afternoon while lactating sows consume water more consistently throughout the day. Heat stress results in alterations of the drinking patterns of grow-finish pigs resulting in peak consumption between 8 to 9 a.m. and 5 to 8 p.m.

In this study, newly weaned pigs consumed less that 0.5 gal/pig/day and grow-finish pigs drank 1.5 gal/pig/day using nipple drinkers. Gestating females drank between 3 and 4 gal/day whereas lactating sows consumed 6 gal/day.

Source:
2006 Nebraska Swine Report