Influence of bowl drinker flow rate on water consumption and wastage by pigs from weaning to slaughter

Two experiments were carried out to determine the influence of bowl drinker flow rate on water consumption and wastage by growing-finishing pigs. The first trial involved two batches of 200 weaned piglets (9-24 kg). In the second trial, two batches of 96 growing-finishing pigs (33-112 kg) were studied. For each trial, two treatments were compared: a flow rate of 1 l/min (FR1) or a flow rate of 2 l/min (FR2). Average water wastage was 20 % of total water consumption during post weaning period and 14 % for growing-finishing pigs. Increased drinker flow rate induced higher water ingestion during both the 8-25 kg period (+68%) and the finishing period (+ 16 %). There was no effect of treatment on animal performance.