Moderate mineral levels in water Pelleted feed Water consumption Besides drinking water to satisfy a physiological need, pigs also drink water to alleviate boredom or hunger. However, over-consumption wastes water and, perhaps most critically, increases the cost of slurry storage and spreading. The cost of slurry storage is rising in response to environmental concerns and the expense of spreading slurry is also increasing due to higher labor and fuel costs. Under-consumption may be a problem. Even when water is supplied free choice, evidence suggests pigs do not always drink as much water as they require for good health and maximum performance.
More research is needed.
Measuring water consumption accurately is difficult. With nipple drinkers, waste can reach 50 per cent or more of intake and will be even higher when pigs are bored or stressed. Earlier information published on water intake failed to account for waste and must be interpreted with great care. Water Management Water for dry sows Water use by gestating sows is affected by both physiological need and behavioral influences. For example, in human nutrition, it is not uncommon to recommend that people on diets consume additional water, in part to help achieve a sense of satiety.