It is essential that all stock have access to sufficient quantities of good quality water. Water restriction results in thirsty pigs, increased aggression around the water source, and reduced feed intake. It may also result in death. I do not routinely check my stock I check all stock daily for signs of disease, injury, etc. Timely observation and treatment of animals is a key fundamental in animal care.
Time is also a critical component to the effectiveness of the treatment.
Barn managers must recognize this and set up training programs that will give staff the ability and confidence to treat and diagnose animals at a level suited to their responsibility in the barn. Many animals recover quickly from injury or sickness if they are provided with some tender loving care in a warm, dry, draft free environment that is isolated from other stock. In many cases this, rather than medication, is the critical component of the treatment program. The absence or presence of disease has a dramatic effect on growth and reproductive efficiency of the animals and therefore profitability of the operation. The care and handling of the animals is central to everything the stockperson does.