When both feed and water are freely available to the pig, water intake
will typically fall within the range of 2.1 to 2.7 kg of water per kilogram
of feed (Shaw, 2003), although lower minimum ratios have been proposed
(Mroz et al., 1995). Higher ratios have also been reported, often when
water disappearance, rather than actual consumption, is being reported.
A signifi cant proportion of the reports in the scientifi c literature report
disappearance, that being water that fl ows out of the drinker, as opposed
to intake, that being water actually consumed by the pig. The difference is,
of course, wastage. Wastage will increase depending on the water delivery
device, water fl ow rates, barn temperatures, and pig behavior. Therefore,
it is very important to distinguish between disappearance and intake.