WATER FOR PIGS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19443, 31 October 1925, Page 23 (Supplement)

WATER FOR PIGS

RATIO TO DRY MEAL. In an ordinary way, it may be reckoned that a pig requires about 1 quart of water with each 11b of dry meal. Even if the mash is of an absorbent nature and soaks up the water, forming a somewhat stodgy mass, this quantity of W’ater is still enough in ordinary weather conditions; and if the meal is non-absorbent and makes a thin mixture, the quantity should not be much reduced. It is only in cold, wet weather that a slight reduction in the quantity of water is allowable. On the other hand, when the •weather is hot and dry, the quantity of water should be increased to a little over one quart for each lib. of meal, or, better still, a little clean water should be offered once a day, in case the pigs are thirsty. For sows suckling pigs, much I more water than this may be required. iThe sow’ would require very nearly a quart of water with each 11b of meal to satisfy her own bodily requirements, but beyond this she has to find the water for her milk. This milk will amount to somewhere between 2 and 24 gallons a day, or possibly more in the case of a very good milker, and the water for this milk has to be provided in addition to that required by the sow herself.

This fact is often forgotten, and many sows, in summer particularly, suffer severely from thirst, and give less milk in consequence. Experience shows that sows fed on dry meal when suckling pigs will drink from 5 to 7 gallons of water a day in summer, though possibly they might consume a little less w r hen it is wet and cold. It is evident, however, that a large qauntity of water is required, and the best way to supply it when the sow cannot help herself to what she requires, is to give the meal mixed with water in the ordinary way, and then offer her a drink of clean water at least once a day. The difference between the quantity of water likely to be required in summer and winter should always be remembered.