Department of Animal Science
Date of this Version
January 1999
Abstract
A summer experiment was conducted to examine the impact of drinker design on pig performance, water use and manure volume. Pigs with access to Drik-O-Mat® bowl drinkers had similar daily gains, lower feed intake and improved feed conversion compared to pigs with access to a WaterSwing® nipple drinker. Water use was reduced 24.8 percent for the bowl versus swing drinkers. Manure volume was reduced 21.6 percent for the bowl versus swing drinker. The difference in manure volume is most likely due to a reduction in water wastage. Selection of drinker devices must include consideration of the manure system design and the need for wasted water for the manure system to function correctly.
Comments
Published in 1999 Nebraska Swine Report, compiled by Duane E. Reese, Associate Professor and Extension Swine Specialist, Department of Animal Science. Prepared by the staff in Animal Science and cooperating Departments for use in Extension, Teaching and Research programs. Published by Cooperative Extension Division, Agricultural Research Division, and Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Swine reports website: www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/swine/pigpdf.htm