Water is the most important nutrient for piglets. The piglet's body is made 70-80% of water. Despite the critical need for this element, water remains the most neglected nutrient. Depending on various factors, animals drink roughly twice as much as they eat. And it is not just the quantity that is important; the microbiological quality of water has a tremendous impact on health and performance.
Water plays an important role in temperature control, nutrient transport, and waste and digestive processes. If compromised, it can negatively affect performance, health and welfare. Insufficient water or feed intake or any unexplained drops in health or performance can indicate water quality issues.
Sub-optimal water quality will negatively impact the health and performance of animals as well as producers’ profitability. Water intake at weaning is low, creating slow flow rates, while environmental temperatures are often high. This slow-moving, warm water creates ideal conditions for bacterial multiplication. When a piglet experiences high bacterial challenge from contaminated water at this time, it can lower its growth rate, decrease feed intake and result in diarrhoea.
It is not only the water source that is important, but also the hygienic conditions in the water system: starting with clean and safe water at the source does not mean that it remains this way until animals drink it. Water hygiene from source to drinker must be part of every biosecurity and farm management programme.
