The Importance Of Water

We all realize that after clean air, that the most important need of pigs is water. (When we are talking about piglets we would also need to include the proper environment). It seems so basic and simple, and yet there are a few pointers and new developments that we can examine when thinking of the water needs of pigs. First of all the pigs body is comprised of about 70% water for young piglets, and about 55% water in older pigs. (1) So a large percentage of water intake per body weight must be obtained. (1) Needless to say, dehydration can be a killer, especially due to diarrhea in Nursing Piglets and newly Wean Nursery Piglets. There have been some water acidifiers come on to the market lately which drop the Ph of water and will kill some of the bacteria that can live in water or even in the pigs gut. (2) Electrolytes can be added via a water medicator to young piglets 2 days Pre-Weaning through 5 days Post-Weaning. (1) These electrolytes are even more important in piglets who are suffering from diarrhea (i.e. PEDV, TGE, E.Coli etc.). (1) Electrolytes have been shown to greatly increase water intake the first 3 days after weaning. (1) Feeding Gel-Feed, which is 2/3 water and 1/3 solids, can greatly increase water consumption in newly weaned piglets. (2) A Free Source of Water is even needed in “Liquid-Fed” pigs. (3) Pigs must be able to get as much water as their body needs to deal with their current diet’s precise mineral and protein content. (3) Pigs may even drink water even if they have “Gone-Off-Of-Feed”. (3) Thus we can see how important water is, as well as factors relating to water.

References:
(1) McManus, Dan DVM “Helping challenged pigs to avoid dehydration” Pig Progress Vol. 30 nr 10, 2014 Dec. 09, 2014
(2) Pesie, Sarah and Juan Antonio Mesonero Escuredo “Better sow performance with higher water intake” Selko Feed Additives Pig Progress 30.1, 2014 Feb. 14, 2014
(3) Brooks, Peter Professor “Water – much more than just a nutrient” Pig Progress Vol. 30 nr 7, Dec. 09, 2014