Lancaster farming. (Lancaster, Pa., etc.) 1955-current, March 26, 1994, Image 162
E2-(lahcMttr Nnhlng, Saturday, March X, 1904 y Penn State Extension Swine Specialist WATER NEEDS FOR SWINE Hog producers know that as a nutrient, nothing ranks higher than water. , From a practical sense, feed intake hinges on an adequate water supply. From a biochemical sense, virtually everything that happens in the body thrives on and depends on water. Table 1: Daily water consumption by swine. Pig Weight Up to 30 Lbs. 30-80 Lbs. 80-130 Lbs. 130 Lbs. & Over Pigs (and sows) on full feed should have free access to water to maximize feed intake. Water can be restricted somewhat for limit fed animals. For example, sows getting five pounds of feed per day need no more than three gallons of water under normal conditions. And some commercial feeding systems successfully combine lim ited access to both feed and water for growing-finishing pigs. Number Of Waterers Too many waterers are better than not enough. Pigs fight for the water fountain just as they do for the feeder. A rough rule of thumb is to pro vide one waterer for every 10 to IS pigs with a minimum of two per Table 2; Effect Of Water Flow Rate and Number of Waterers on Fin ishing Pig Performance. 14 2 1 ADG, lb. 1.56 1.61 1.62 1.55 ADF, lb. 5.65 5.74 5.74 5.65 F/G 3.64 3.57 3.55 3.65 (Adapted from Nebraska Swine Report, 1991, p. 22) Research also shows that sows on restricted water flow (approxi mately 'A cup/min) lend to eat less and lose more weight during lacta tion than sows on a high flow rate (approximately 3 cups/minutc). But a study conducted in Ottawa, Ontario showed no differences in water intake in lactating sows whether at a high (8.5 cups/ minute) or low (2.5 cups/minute) flow rate. However, sows wasted Table 3; Suggested water flow rates for various stages of production. STAGE OF PROD 10-25 lbs 25-50 lbs 50-125 lbs 125-market wt Sows and boars Lactating sows Pork Prose by Kenneth B. Kephart Pigs normally drink a little more than a quart of water with every pound of feed they eat. Hot weath er, boredom, and high salt levels in the feed increase water needs. High salt and mineral levels in the water may also increase con sumption to a point If salt or mineral levels get too high, water intake will drop. Some typical water consump tion rates: pen (see Table 2 below). Keep the fountains far enough apart one to two feet for grower pigs, two to three feet apart for finisher pijgs and sows in gestation. The separa tion is needed so that pigs can drink without competition from one another. Studies at South Dakota State University and the University of Minnesota show that when flow rates are less than 'A cup per minute, pigs spend more time drinking but consume less water than pigs getting at least 3 cups/ minute through the waterer. These findings are at least in partial agreement with that of a joint study conducted at the Uni versity of Nebraska and Purdue University (data presented below). Flow (cups/min) Waterers/pen only 2.5 quarts per day on the low water flow rate vs. 8 quarts per day on the high flow rate. Based on these studies, it appears that water flow rate for individually housed lactating sows should be at least 2.5 cups per minute. But there is little justifica tion for flow rates greater than 4 cups (1 quart) per minute. Listed below are some sug gested values for water flow rates. Quantity Quarts/Day 1 2 5 6 Flow Rate FLOW RATE 1 cup/min 2 cups/min 3 cups/min 1 quart/min 1 quart/min 1 quart/min Type Of Waterer The best waterer provides fresh water, requires little maintenance, and stands a lot of abuse. For most stages of production, it’s tough to find a waterer that will do a better job than a nipple. Sows housed in gestation stalls could also drink from a continuous concrete trough with a valve at one end. The only concern with conti nuous troughs is that some dis eases (such as TGE or pseudora bies) are quickly spread in a trough. For baby pigs, water isn’t too important until they start consum ing a significant amount of creep feed (three weeks for most opera tions). However, % inch nipples work well. Bowl or cup waterers, while less sanitary than nipples, probably have better acceptance with baby pigs. Mounting The Waterer Nipple watcrers work nicely when mounted horizontally. Many folks suggest pointing the nipple down at a 45 degree angle to pre vent wastage. I’m not convinced that will reduce wastage at all, but if nipples are mounted on an angle, they should be mounted an inch or two higher than the pig’s back line. A study from the University of Nebraska did rind that pointing the nipple up on a 45 degree angle created clogging problems with the feed particles. Water Quality While this has been getting a lot of attention in recent years, effects of changes in water quality on pigs is still open to estimation. Here are suggested quality val Table 4: Suggested maximum concentrations for toxic metals in water supplies for swine. ELEMENT Aluminum Arsenic Cadmium Copper Lead Mercury Zinc Calcium Source: Canadian Task Force on Water Quality (1987) Commercial laboratories or your health department can usually assist in water analysis. Unless you see problems, annual checks for total dissolved solids, nitrates, tot al coliforms, and fecal coliforms are probably adequate. Chlorination Disinfection of water supplies for livestock is sometimes needed. Ultraviolet disinfection is adequ ate as long as the unit is designed for the relatively high flow rates often found with large animal operations. Chlorination is another means of disinfection. Add enough chlor ine to provide at least 1 ppm of free residual chlorine. One ppm will control bacteria, but you will need slightly higher levels to control Giardia and viruses if present. Also, water with a pH higher than 7.5 will require at least 2 ppm of free chlorine to be effective. Be sure that the chlorine is in contact with the water for at least five minutes. Stray Voltage Under some conditions, the watering system may become elec trically charged. Because flooring is damp in swine facilities and because the pig is a good conductor of electricity. ues (adapted from EPA standards, 1973 and the National Academy of Sciences, 1974).' Many of the levels cited below will seem unusually high. Clearly, more research is needed. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS, also total dissolved salts) —Avoid using water for swine when TDS levels exceed 5,000 parts per mil lion (ppm). High levels are more of a problem during hot weather, pre gnancy, and lactation. Watch for low consumption rates or milking problems. Sulfates can have a lax ative effect As little as 500 ppm of sulfates in the water can have adverse effects on weanling pigs and sow reproductive efficiency. Total Coliforms This is a measure of total E. Coli present in the sample. While all strains of E. Coli are not harmful, total coli forms provide an indicator of con tamination. 5,000 coliforms/100 ml should be a maximum. If the value approaches this, look for sources of contamination. Fecal Coliforms These are the E. Coli bacteria originating from manure. Don’t use the water for swine when fecal coliforms exceed 1,000/100 ml. High levels usually lead to diarrhea or mastitis problems'. Nitrates This form of nitro gen can be tolerated at moderate levels by the pig. Some estimates place the maximum level at 440 ppm. I suggest that 100 ppm (23 ppm nitrate nitrogen) be the maxi mum level. Even at this level, the source of contamination should be located and contained if practical. Nitrites are much more toxic than nitrates. Nitrite level should not exceed 30 ppm. High levels can lead to stillborn pigs. Toxic Metals MAXIMUM LEVEL, PPM pigs drinking from these systems will sense an electric shock. Studies at the University of Minnesota show that 3.7 volts is enough to reduce water consump tion by 25 percent Many research ers and producers also feel that stray voltage through the watering system can lead to nervous beha vior and cannibalistic vices such as tail biting. Recently in southeastern Pen nsylvania, a sow herd had recently been experiencing vaginal dis charges during gestation, and a fairly high rate of abortions. Stray voltage was evident and although the source could not be located, the problem was corrected with the installation of neutral ground isolator. The vaginal discharges stopped with days of that installation, and the conception rate in the herd also improved markedly. Stray voltage reaches the water ing system since many electrical systems are grounded to an exter nal ground and to a water pipe, and because much of the electrical equipment and fencing are inter connected. The stray voltage should be measured between the waterer and an external ground (driven in a damp area) at least 25 feet from the building. Measure ment should be taken with equip- ment both operating and turned off. The causes of stray voltage include: • Unbalanced load in the electri cal box. Check to see that the num ber of circuit breakers (and the cur rent load) on each sideof the box is roughly equal. ■ A short circuit or faulty appliance. Check water pumps, heaters for waterers, drip cooling systems, feed auger motors, and limit switches in feeders. All should be properly grounded and functioning normally. • Stray voltage through the neutral line. This current may originate from the power company or their equipment Although unrelated to water, it should also be noted that stray vol tage can reach the pigs through feeding equipment or fences just as readily as it does through the watering system. Stray voltage problems, with the help of an electrician or a power company representative, are usual ly easy to correct Remember that pigs consume more pounds of water each day than any other nutrient Be sure you give it the attention it deserves. Chlorination'of animal drinking water, Dlinoie Veterinary Bulletin. 1(1) 1993. Ruasett, J. C. 1987. Waterneediforpigi. Swine Line. Vol 2, No 4. Brooks, P. H., J. L. Carpenter and J. Bar ber. 1992. Banff Pbrk Conference. Newton- Abbot, Devon, England. Forestry Workshop Set WILKES-BARRE (Luzerne Co.) Urban and community forestry can make a difference in our lives. As we develop and ap ply technologies for a better way of life, often times side effects ad versely affect our natural environ ment .02 .033 50 1000 In many cases, the trees that help create liveable oommunitia are taken for granted and fail to re ceive the maintenance they need to remain healthy. On April 14, Penn Stale Co operative Extension in coopera tion with Penn College of Tech nology, the Pennsylvania Urban and Community Forestry Council, the Bureau of Forestry, and the Williamsport Shade Tree Com mission will hold a seminar en titled “Promoting Tree Health: A Community Forestry Workshop." This program will begin to ad dress community forestry issues and examine ways of maintaining and promoting tree health in our communities. If you are a municipal manager, green industry professional, or an individual concerned about the health of your community trees, this workshop is worth attending. The workshops will be held at the Alvin C. Bush Campus Center at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport. The registration fee is $l5 per person, which includes lunch and written materials. Preregistration is required be fore April 8 (no walk-ins will b* accepted). For more information, call Lu zerne County Cooperative Exten sion at (717) 825-1701 or (717) 459-0736 ext 701. References