Technical sheets of the main raw materials and additives used in swine feed. They include a comparison of nutritional values from various sources, product
Use this tool to diagnose problems with the feed conversion ratio. Click on the flowchart or on the buttons within the text to navigate through the different parts of the tool.
Use this tool to find out why your farrowing rate is less than ideal. Click on the flowchart or on the buttons found within the text to navigate through the different parts of the tool.
Use this tool to explore which slurry management strategy best fits your situation. Click on the flow chart or on the buttons within the text to navigate through the different parts of the tool.
We must assure correct management, primarily in the following points: Number of animals / drinker, placement, flow, control of water consumption, design and height of the drinker.
In previous articles we have discussed the vital and physiological importance water has for pigs based on their age and physiological state. Of all the water used, we must distinguish between that consumed and wasted. The aim is to administer medications in the water efficiently in relation to water consumption and cost of the antibiotic used but without affecting its productivity performance. Obviously, an increase in the cost of antibiotics and/or water consumption has dramatic effects on the cost of medication, as shown in the following graph:
Figure 1. Relationship between total water used and medication costs (fattening) Source: Almond G, 2022.
The water management system also plays an important role in efficient medication. Many times this not only depends on the type of drinker, as shown in the graph below, where we see high consumption between 8-9 L/pig/day (orange circle) with 3 different drinkers. This confirms that we must consider other factors to control the "waste" of medicated water such as location, flow, and handling of the drinkers.
Figure 2. Medication costs depending on the drinker (9 finishing farms). Source: Almond G, 2002.
As a result of this water wastage, we not only have a high economic impact on the cost of medication but also the fixed cost per m3 of slurry management, paying for the water twice, both to bring it and to eliminate it. Reducing both costs affects the margin per pig or kg of meat. Studies show a 35% difference in the amount of manure generated depending on the type of drinker. We also shouldn’t forget the environmental impact this has on the soil (ammonium, nitrate, etc.) and the increase of emissions to the environment (GHG gases) due to the management (electricity, oil, etc.) of this excess manure.
Figure 3. Improper handling of the drinkers negatively impacts operating costs and the environment.
We can see clearly in the following chart the relationship between the water used and the production of slurry based on handling (height of the drinker):
Figure 4. Water used and manure production with different drinkers for 12 weeks (growth-finishing). The "height effect" of the trough of 8-13% on water expended and 9-11% on slurry production. Source: Li and Gonyou. 2005.
1. Importance of drinker design for water wasted
There are 5 main ways to manage water for the pigs: Valve, bowl, channel, feeding, and mixed feeding liquid feed/water.
In general, we can summarize efficiency depending on the design of the drinker:
Comparison of different types of water administration for saving medication:
duck-billed drinker
>
nipple drinker
hanging drinker
>
nipple drinker
ball drinker
>
duck-billed drinker
bowl drinker
>
ball drinker
Mixed hopper (water/feed)
>
duck-billed drinker
Mixed hopper (water/feed)
>
Mixed hopper - dry feed
Liquid feed
>
Mixed hopper (water/feed)
Table 2. Types and characteristics of nipple and bowl drinkers available for swine. Source: D. Babot, V. Sancho, S. Pascual, J. Cartanyà, J. Parera, N. Ferrer, E. Garcia, J.A. Moreno, G. Blanco
There is little information about the influence of drinker design on water use in medications, but there are some examples:
Magowan et al., (2008) confirm that the increased cost of water occurs significantly with nipples, compared to bowls:
Figure 5. Average daily water consumption in piglets weaned (L/pig/day) with different water drinkers, and different positions. Source: www.afbini.gov.uk
Torrey et al., (2008) show that the drinker design influences the cost and consumption of water in the newly weaned piglet. Nipple drinkers waste 83% more, and the bowl with floater type drinkers 37% more water than the bowl with nipple type.
Figure 6. Water consumed, wasted, and used comparing 3 types of drinkers for 14 days in weaned piglets. Source: Torrey et al. 2008.
McKerracher D., (2007) demonstrated that a change of nipples with more efficient ones is cost-effective, by recovering the investment in water savings, volume of slurry, electricity and diesel consumption and emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs).
Figure 7. Water consumption per pig (24 h). Source: D McKerracher. 2007
Glen Almond (2002) makes another comparison between two different designs, with a difference of 72% savings between them.
Figure 8. Water use in 6 nurseries. Source: G. Almond 2022.
2. Importance of drinker management for water wasted
We must assure correct management, primarily in the following points: Number of animals/drinker, placement, flow, control of water consumption, design, and height of the drinker.
A good drinker with bad management quickly becomes a bad one, resulting in economic losses due to lack of performance, medicated water waste, and a high volume of slurry.
3. The relationship between the flow of water and water wasted
The flow depends mainly on the pipe diameter, pressure, and the drinker that is installed.
A higher-than-necessary flow will cause water wastage
Too low a flow will cause more competition for drinking, becoming exacerbated when the animal density or temperature is high. The relationship is shown in the graph:
Figure 9. Relationship between wasted water and drinker flow. Source: Li YZ y Gonyu HW. 1996
4. Relationship between the nipple placement and water wastedFigure 10. Adjusting the height of the drinker.
We should install the nipple on or around the defecation area and near the trough, at a height of 5 cm above the back of the smallest pig in the pen. A nipple placed too high hinders drinking and if placed too low, results in wasting water. The recommendations are 1 nipple/10 pigs with a minimum of 2/pen to prevent possible blockage, competition, and waste of water. Between 2 nipples should be at least the length of a pig. A correct orientation can reduce waste by 35% and placing "anti-spill" sheets (Figure 12) can result in a 50% reduction.Figure 2. Medication costs depending on the drinker (9 finishing farms). Source: Almond G, 2002.
Figure 12. Anti-spill sheets.
5. Relationship between the placement of the bowl and water wasted
The drinker should be placed on the slat area of the pen, but not in the corner, where it gets dirty more often. When installing more than one bowl they should be placed close together. The pigs should drink with their heads slightly down, if the bowl is too high the pig will have difficulty drinking, and if too low it will get dirtier and more water will be lost. The height should be about 40% of the height of the smallest pig in the pen. The number of pigs per bowl can be up to 15.
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10-May-2017Alenda JaureguiGreat post! I love your blog!
10-May-2017MaxI do not understand the last idea.
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The knowledge and the experience of the veterinarian are important, but not enough. The most valuable information will be provided by the farmer, because they know their pigs and many details that the veterinarian may not see or know.
A commercial product is formed by a combination of the active ingredients and excipients. The active ingredient is the compound with therapeutic properties and the excipient is what is added to transform the active ingredients into a combination suitable for administration.
Upon medicating water, the doses should be repeated with a time interval that prevents plasma levels from dropping below the minimum effective concentration and exceeding the toxic concentration.
Medicating water using a tank is an easy and flexible method used to administer drugs, but it can be imprecise if the products we use aren’t totally soluble.
Are you aware that using certain medications in acidified water may limit their efficacy? Do you know the pH of the water before starting a medication in water?
Both "vehicles" for oral medication may be valid and often complementary, but as when making any decision we must consider several factors along with their advantages and disadvantages: cost, speed, flexibility, efectiveness...
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