Further studies on the water requirements of the growing pig

Abstract

SUMMARY1. Results of an experiment involving 48 individually-fed pigs, covering the growing period between about 40 and 208 lb. live-weight, indicated that reduction in the amount of water allowed per lb. of meal from 3 lb. to 2 lb. or 1½ lb. had no significant effects on either the performance or the carcass quality of the pigs.2. Provision of an unrestricted supply of water, in addition to the allowance of 1½ lb. added to each lb. of meal, resulted in a significant improvement in the rate of weight gain which was caused almost entirely by an increase in daily meal consumption by these pigs.3. Under the conditions of the experiment, the provision of water ad lib. was not accompanied by any adverse effects on carcass quality, although conditions under which it might do so are discussed.4. The data on water consumption of the pigs indicated that the observed effects on performance of providing water ad lib. did not arise as a result of a deficiency in the total water intake of the pigs given a restricted supply. The possibility is discussed that the length of time that water was available to the animals might be of importance.