Effect of environmental enrichment and group size on the water use and waste in grower-finisher pigs

Abstract

The grower-finisher stage accounts for 64% of the total on-farm herd water use. Part of this is consumed by the pigs, but a part is also wasted. Drinking water usage and wastage is affected by different factors. We investigated how different group sizes and different levels of enrichment affect water usage (ingested plus wasted), water wastage, behavior and performance in grower-finisher pigs. Pigs (n = 672), 11 weeks of age (77 ± 2 days) were used for the experiment. The effect of group size: SMALL (12 pigs), MEDIUM (24 pigs), and LARGE (48 pigs) was assessed across two levels of enrichment (LOW—wooden post, hanging rubber toy, HIGH—Same as LOW + fresh grass). There was no effect of group size on water use or wastage. Pigs with HIGH enrichment (10.4 ± 0.4 L/pig/day) used less water than LOW enrichment (11.0 ± 0.4 L/pig/day; p < 0.001). The water wastage/drinker/hour was lower in pens with HIGH enrichment than LOW (p = 0.003). The drinking bout number (p = 0.037) and total occupancy/hour (p = 0.048) was also higher for pens with LOW than HIGH enrichment. Aggressive and harmful behaviour were performed less in LARGE groups and pens with HIGH enrichment. Thus, HIGH enrichment allowance reduced water usage and wastage so may have benefits for the environment, as well as animal welfare.

Use of drinkers by finisher pigs depend on drinker location, pig age, time of day, stocking density and tail damage

“…This pattern in water use is similar to what was found by previous studies (16,20) with small differences in the timing of the peaks. Jensen et al (8) and Misra et al (6) only saw one large peak, but within the same hours as the two peaks found in the current study. Villagrá et al (21) found two peaks in the diurnal drinking pattern of pigs with different timing both compared to the current study and when comparing the two farms included in their study.…”

“…Thus, the water use of pigs does not necessarily reflect the duration or frequency of pigs' drinking behavior. Misra et al (6) found an average water use across the finisher period of 10-11 L per pig and day. However, in their study pigs had access to water both from a drinking bowl and a nipple above the feed trough, making it possible for the pigs to mix the water with the feed.…”

“…Furthermore, the freedom from thirst is part of the Five Freedoms of animal welfare (1) and is included as an indicator in the assessment of animal welfare, such as the Welfare Quality R protocol (2). Despite access to water is important, only few studies have investigated the water use of pigs [e.g., (3)(4)(5)(6)], compared to other parts of the production such as feeding and access to enrichment. This lack of attention may be explained by that water seems to always be within reach of indoor-housed pigs.…”

“…To the authors knowledge, no study has yet explicitly quantified the water use of pigs across the entire finisher period, neither on pen-level nor drinkerlevel. However, the water use has been modeled during this period (7,8) and a recent study did record water use of pigs throughout this period with a focus on the effect of group size and enrichment (6). Beside the intrinsic value of water for pigs, the drinking behavior may also have diagnostic value in relation to disease and other undesirable events, as found by multiple studies in relation to diarrhea, pen fouling and tail damage (7)(8)(9)(10).…”

Risk Factors for Chronic Stress in Sows Housed in Groups, and Associated Risks of Prenatal Stress in Their Offspring

“…Most likely, it is a combination of both. However, Misra et al ( 106 ) showed lower levels of aggression in large stable groups compared to small stable groups of finisher pigs. Therefore, it is possible that levels of aggression are also lower in large compared to small groups of pregnant sows provided the groups are stable.…”