The place where the pigs are kept must be properly equipped. Drinkers play a significant role in this. We learn what they are important for, what requirements should be met, what kind they are and how you can make them yourself.
The value of drinkers in the care of animals
Water is necessary for the normal functioning of any organism, including for such domestic animals as pigs. Its absence leads to impaired digestion and other life processes, and can be fatal. The quality of drinking in domestic animals should be the same as for humans, and access to water should always be. 
Drinking bowls play a very important role, as they in a timely manner supply drinking water to the pig population, ensure the hygiene of the drink. Normal trough or pelvis is not able to provide proper hygiene and protect water from pollution, and this can lead to diseases and reduced productivity of livestock. In addition, animals can easily turn them over, which will deprive them of all access to drinking.
Drinking bowls have a number of advantages over such traditional tanks:
- provide drinking hygiene;
- save water consumption, do not allow splashing;
- continuously supplying water to animals;
- save livestock breeders time.
Did you know? Pigs are 70% water. Dehydration by 15% is fatal. Without access to drinking this animal will not last more than 2 days.
Requirements for drinking water for pigs
The following requirements are put forward to modern drinkers:
- Free access. A pig should always be able to get drunk without obstruction.
- Constant water supply. It is very good for this to use automatic devices connected to the water supply.
- Reliability and tightness. You should choose a solid structure that will not leak and will serve for a long time.
- Hygiene and safety. There should be no possibility of dirt falling into the drink. Watering material should be environmentally friendly. Well, if the product is equipped with a filter that ensures the purity of water.
- Resilience. Animals should not be able to flip the device.
- Convenience of operation. Periodically, the water bottle will need to be cleaned and disinfected.
Kinds
According to the principle of operation, these types of drinkers are distinguished:
- pan;
- nipple;
- vacuum.
Read also what the temperature in pigs is considered normal.
Cup
They are made in the form of a large bowl, into which water is supplied. They are made in two versions - with a nipple and a valve. Used for piglets or fattening animals.
It is recommended that piglets install a nipple option. It has high sides that does not allow to be sprayed by drink. Valve version contains in its design a membrane septum that controls the flow of fluid. It has a connection with the pedal, which is affected by the pig, by pressing the membrane (valve) opens and water flows. When the individual got drunk and moved away from the bowl, the effect on the pedal stops, and the valve closes the water. The pedal can be placed at the level of the animal's muzzle or under the hooves. 
The installation height of cup drinkers depends on the age group:
- individuals up to 15 kg in weight are set to 7 cm from the floor;
- 16-20 kg - 10 cm;
- 21-50 kg - 15 cm;
- 51-100 kg - 25 cm;
- more than 100 kg - 30 cm.
- economical water consumption;
- no splashing;
- they are easy to install and install;
- rapid mastering by animals of this method of watering.
The disadvantages include the fact that they are quickly contaminated, and there is a need for frequent washing.
Did you know? The pig is among the ten most intelligent animals on the planet and is ahead of the dogs in intelligence.
Nipple
These are more complex systems that can provide water with a different number of pigs of different age groups. The structure includes a pipe made of metal, through which water is supplied, the nipples embedded in it with valves. The design also includes a filter and a pressure regulator, rubber gaskets are used. For young animals put small valves, and for adults - normal.
Video: Nipple Drinker for Pigs
Height of installation of a nipple drinking bowl for different groups of pigs:
- individuals up to 15 kg in weight are made to be placed 15 cm from the floor;
- 16-20 kg - 20-25 cm;
- 21-50 kg - 35-45 cm;
- 51-100 kg - 50-60 cm;
- more than 100 kg - 70 cm.
It is nipple drinkers that farmers use, since they have the following advantages:
- more than all other species save water;
- most airtight and hygienic;
- reliably provide livestock with clean water;
- long exploited;
- Do not need frequent washing.
The disadvantages of nipple systems are that they are expensive and difficult to self-assemble.
Important! If the system takes water from the public water supply, then this water meets the requirements of hygiene and is suitable for drinking pigs. When using own water from a well, it is recommended to make its analysis for suitability.
Vacuum
The operation of this option is provided by the pressure difference. Vacuum devices are very convenient for feeding and watering pigs. They are a bowl-like container. This item is always purchased. As a water tank take the usual glass jar. The liquid is poured into the container, a bowl is placed on top, and then it is turned over. Water pours into the bowl until it fills it. As the animals drink the liquid, its level drops, and the bowl is filled.
For adult pigs, such a car drinker is not suitable, since finding a suitable reservoir for pigs is hard. Glass jars are usually small, and plastic jars are too light.
Advantages of a vacuum drinking bowl:
- saving cash costs;
- water is visible, so animals quickly understand the principle of using the device;
- can be seen when the water is over and it must be poured;
- easy to clean and maintain.
- apply only to piglets;
- the liquid in the bowl quickly clogs, so you need to clean more often;
- the structure weighs little, so it can be easily knocked over;
- It is impossible to apply any filters for water, so water for drinking is prepared separately, which increases labor costs.
How to make a drinking bowl for pigs do it yourself
In order to save money, drinkers for pigs can be made independently.
From a metal (cast iron) pipe
The easiest way to make a watering device is to make it from a metal pipe. This design is suitable for different age groups. For it, you must purchase a pipe in a diameter of 0.4-0.5 m.
The manufacturing process itself is as follows:
- Cut the pipe into two identical parts. If necessary, make a device for piglets and adults need to cut into different parts. Most of it will go for adults, less - for kids.
- On the sides should be hermetically sealed voids.
- Along the edges of the bottom set the legs of the iron corners by welding. Their height depends on the size of the individuals (adults or piglets).
- All cuts and stitches should be well sanded so that animals do not hurt themselves.
- Then the device is installed in the allotted place. For him, for convenience, should bring a tap with water.
Important! The drinker should not be made too high; animals will constantly turn them over.
Nipple
The version with nipples can be made from improvised means - bottles, barrels, gas cylinders, pipes.
You will need the following materials:
- a metal tube with a thread at one end (will play the role of a nipple);
- trumpet;
- barrel or bottle;
- device for drilling holes.
Depending on the age category acquire the corresponding nipple. For piglets, a nipple with a soft nipple of small size is suitable, and for young nipple of medium parameters, adult representatives choose a tight nipple of large size.
Depending on the nipple, they acquire a pipe of the required size in diameter and take a barrel or a bottle of necessary volume to find liquid for drinking in them. The pipe is cut in length in different sizes so that the distance from the floor to the nipple meets the standards for nipple drinkers. For piglets weighing up to 15 kg, the gap from the floor to the nipple should be no more than 15 cm, and for individuals weighing more than 100 kg this gap should be 70 cm.
Video: Nipple Drinker for Pigs
The assembly process is carried out as follows:
- First, make the necessary opening in the pipe to fix the nipple on it, with the hole down.
- Hermetically connect the bottle (barrel) for water, pipe and nipple. Usually, a plastic barrel is taken for this purpose.
- Install the drinker so that the nipple is at a small angle for ease of drinking, so that less water is poured.
- Mount the device in a suitable place for watering.
Important! Do not put these devices in the corner, as the pigs choose this place for a bowel movement.
How to make heating for drinkers
To warm the water in cold weather, use a heating cable and thermostat. The cable for heating with tape is attached to a container with liquid and to the water supply pipe. The thermostat is placed in a liquid. This element is necessary in order to save on electricity. When heated to the desired temperature, the device for heating is turned off.
Access to clean water pigs constantly. Now you can buy nipple or cup devices for watering, and you can make the drinkers themselves.
