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Review: Drinking water for liquid-fed pigs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2016

M.-C. Meunier-Salaün ,
J. Chiron ,
F. Etore ,
A. Fabre ,
A. Laval ,
F. Pol ,
A. Prunier ,
Y. Ramonet  and
B. L. Nielsen
M.-C. Meunier-Salaün*
Affiliation:
PEGASE, INRA, 35590 Saint Gilles, France
J. Chiron
Affiliation:
Anses, Unité Evaluation des risques liés à la santé, l’alimentation et au bien-être des animaux, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France
F. Etore
Affiliation:
Anses, Unité Evaluation des risques liés à la santé, l’alimentation et au bien-être des animaux, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France
A. Fabre
Affiliation:
École nationale vétérinaire d’Alfort, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France
A. Laval
Affiliation:
École vétérinaire de Nantes, Oniris, 44300 Nantes, France
F. Pol
Affiliation:
Anses, Unité Épidémiologie et bien-être du porc, 22440 Ploufragan, France
A. Prunier
Affiliation:
PEGASE, INRA, 35590 Saint Gilles, France
Y. Ramonet
Affiliation:
Chambre Régionale d’Agriculture de Bretagne, 35042 Rennes, France
B. L. Nielsen
Affiliation:
NBO, INRA, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
*
†E-mail: marie-christine.salaun@inra.fr
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Abstract

Liquid feeding has the potential to provide pigs with sufficient water to remain hydrated and prevent prolonged thirst. However, lack of permanent access to fresh water prevents animals from drinking when they are thirsty. Moreover, individual differences between pigs in a pen may result in uneven distribution of the water provided by the liquid feed, leading to some pigs being unable to meet their water requirements. In this review, we look at the need for and provision of water for liquid-fed pigs in terms of their production performance, behaviour, health and welfare. We highlight factors which may lead to water ingestion above or below requirements. Increases in the need for water may be caused by numerous factors such as morbidity, ambient temperature or competition within the social group, emphasising the necessity of permanent access to water as also prescribed in EU legislation. The drinkers can be the target of redirected behaviour in response to feed restriction or in the absence of rooting materials, thereby generating water losses. The method of water provision and drinker design is critical to ensure easy access to water regardless of the pig’s physiological state, and to limit the amount of water used, which does not benefit the pig.

Keywords

thirstliquid feedingdrinker designwater accesswater quality
Type
Review Article
Information
animal , Volume 11 , Issue 5 , May 2017 , pp. 836 - 844
Copyright
© The Animal Consortium 2016 

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