Effect of nipple angle on water disappearance by pigs

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different nipple angles on water disappearance in growing pigs, which is defined as the water which leaves the watering device but is not consumed by the pig. This water adds to the volume of the total waste slurry. Four crossbred pigs averaging 70.0 +/- 1.4 kg were assigned into I of 4 treatments using a 4x4 Latin-square design. Treatments were distinguished by the angle between nipple terminal and the perpendicular wall. These angles were: 1) NA-30 (= Nipple Angle 30 degrees), 2) NA-45 (= Nipple Angle 45 degrees), 3) NA-60 (= Nipple Angle 60 degrees) and 4) NA-90 (= Nipple Angle 90 degrees). All of the nipples were fixed at shoulder height of each pig. After a 7-day adaptation period, samples were collected from each pig for 4 days, followed by a day for change-over. Pigs were fed a 0.8 kg diet twice daily at 08:00 and 20:00 and supplied water ad libitum. Throughout the experimental period, pigs in the NA-30 treatment group showed greater water disappearance than other treatments. Water disappearance was the lowest for the NA-60 treatment group (p<0.01). The percentage of water disappearance to the water supply was significantly reduced in the NA-60 treatment group (p<0.01). Water intake was the same for all the treatment groups. The rate of water disappearance per unit of water intake was significantly decreased in pigs in the NA-60 treatment group compared to other groups (p<0.01). These results suggested that the nipple angle for growing pigs should be 60 degrees to reduce water disappearance and, subsequently, the amount of waste generated.