The Effect of Drinking Water Temperature on Pig Growth and Development

In pig waterers, the temperature of drinking water and feed has a close relationship with the growth, development and health of pigs. Pigs do well drinking cool water in summer, while warm water works better in cold seasons, as it can promote feed intake, significantly increase daily weight gain and reduce the diarrhea rate. This is especially true for piglets: when the drinking water temperature is lower than body temperature, not only do the pigs need to use extra energy to raise the temperature of the ingested water, but cold stress can also cause conditions such as gastric ulcers and indigestion.

Tests by Guangxi University have shown that suckling piglets given 37°C warm water supplied by a multi-function thermostatic waterer gained 39.4 g more per day than piglets given room-temperature tap water, gained 0.82 kg more in total, consumed 0.34 kg more feed per head, and had a diarrhea rate 20% lower. Water temperature is also very important for sows in cold seasons: if a lactating sow is given water and feed at 0°C, an extra 0.5 kg of concentrate feed per day is wasted just to maintain body temperature. In winter, giving pregnant sows ice-cold water and feed can also easily cause miscarriage and other adverse consequences. The suitable drinking water temperatures for pigs in cold seasons are 16-20°C for growing-finishing pigs and pregnant sows, 20-25°C for nursery pigs, 25-28°C for lactating sows, and 35-38°C for suckling piglets.

Many factors affect a pig's water requirement, such as air temperature, feed type, and the pig's size and physiological state, all of which have an important influence on water demand. Under housed conditions, one sow with piglets needs 75-100 L of water supplied per day, pregnant sows, boars and growing pigs need 30 L, and young pigs and finishing pigs need 15-20 L. It is extremely important for weaned piglets to drink enough water during the first 2 weeks after weaning, because eating high-protein feed at this time requires a higher water intake to excrete excess nitrogen, which ensures feed intake and reduces the incidence of disease. In particular, the water supply for lactating sows in summer must be guaranteed, requiring about 40 kg of water per day; insufficient water will reduce feed intake and milk production.

Changing the water temperature according to the temperature of different seasons and creating suitable living conditions for pigs is a requirement of welfare-oriented pig farming, the wish of the pigs themselves, and the fundamental guarantee for pig farmers to make money and raise pigs well. Wu Wenbo