6 Pig Waterer Types And Benefits That Prevent Common Issues
Choosing the right pig waterer prevents waste and disease. Explore 6 types and their unique benefits for keeping your herd healthy and properly hydrated.
You walk out to the pig pen and see the water trough flipped over again, creating a giant mud pit where clean water should be. Or maybe you notice a pig isn’t putting on weight like its siblings, and you suspect it’s not drinking enough. Getting your pig watering system right is one of those small things that makes a huge difference in the health of your animals and the sanity of your daily chores.
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Why Proper Pig Hydration is Crucial for Health
Water is the most important nutrient for any animal, and pigs are no exception. Proper hydration drives everything from feed conversion and weight gain to temperature regulation. A dehydrated pig won’t eat well, and a pig that doesn’t eat well simply won’t thrive.
Think of it this way: all the high-quality feed you provide is useless if the pig can’t process it efficiently. Water is the vehicle for that process. It’s especially critical for lactating sows, who need massive amounts of water to produce milk for their piglets.
Furthermore, a lack of accessible, clean water can lead to stress and behavioral issues. Pigs might become more aggressive or lethargic. Ensuring constant access to fresh water isn’t just a chore; it’s a foundational part of good animal husbandry that prevents a cascade of other, more serious problems down the line.
Suevia Nipple Drinkers for Minimal Water Waste
Nipple drinkers are a game-changer for anyone tired of dealing with mud. These small metal valves release water only when a pig pushes on them with its snout. This simple mechanism drastically reduces the spillage and waste associated with open troughs or bowls.
The key benefit is a cleaner, drier pen. Less wasted water means less mud, which in turn means healthier feet and a lower risk of parasites. They are ideal for barn or permanent pen setups where you can run a water line. You mount them at the correct height for your pigs, and they learn to use them surprisingly quickly.
However, they aren’t without their challenges. The flow rate needs to be right—too low and pigs get frustrated, too high and they still make a mess. They can also freeze in the winter, requiring heated lines or alternative water sources in cold climates. And while most pigs figure them out, there’s always one that struggles, so you have to monitor them closely after installation.
Lixit Bite Valves: Durable for Mature Hogs
A Lixit bite valve looks similar to a nipple drinker, but it’s built tougher. Instead of just pushing a pin, a pig has to bite down on the entire valve body to activate the water flow. This design makes them far more resilient to the abuse that a large boar or a group of feisty feeder pigs can dish out.
If you’ve ever had a mature hog snap a standard nipple drinker clean off the pipe, you understand the value of this durability. They are a smart investment for permanent setups housing larger animals. The mechanism is more robust, less prone to leaking from wear and tear, and stands up to the constant chewing and pushing of powerful jaws.
The tradeoff is usually a slightly higher cost and a slightly steeper learning curve for the pigs. Some younger pigs may find them harder to operate initially. But for a long-term, low-maintenance solution for your biggest animals, a bite valve often prevents the costly "oops" of a broken pipe and a flooded pen.
Ritchie Automatic Waterers for Constant Supply
Keep your livestock hydrated all winter with the Ritchie Omni Fount 2. This automatic, heated waterer features easy maintenance, a large access panel, and energy-efficient insulation for reliable performance.
For those who want a reliable, hands-off solution, an automatic waterer is the gold standard. These units, like the ones made by Ritchie, connect directly to your water line and use a float valve—much like the one in your toilet tank—to keep a small reservoir of water full at all times. The pig drinks, the level drops, and the valve opens to refill it.
The primary benefit is peace of mind. You know your pigs have a constant supply of fresh, clean water without you needing to check and fill it multiple times a day. Many models are heavily insulated and can be equipped with a heating element, making them a fantastic four-season option for cold climates.
Of course, this convenience comes at a price. Automatic waterers are a significant upfront investment and require proper installation, including running underground water lines. They also need occasional cleaning to prevent algae buildup in the reservoir. But for a permanent setup, the labor savings and reliability are often well worth the cost.
DIY Barrel Waterers for Pastured Pig Setups
When you’re raising pigs on pasture, running permanent water lines isn’t always practical. This is where a DIY barrel waterer shines. The concept is simple: take a 55-gallon food-grade barrel, install a few nipple drinkers near the bottom, fill it with water, and place it on a sturdy base like cinder blocks.
This system is incredibly flexible and cost-effective. You can move it with your pigs as they rotate through paddocks, ensuring they always have water nearby. It holds enough water to last a few pigs several days, reducing daily chores. It’s the perfect solution for off-grid or remote pasture areas.
The main drawback is that you still have to fill it manually. Hauling 55 gallons of water can be a serious chore without the right equipment. The barrel also needs to be opaque to prevent algae growth, and you have to secure it well—pigs love to use them as scratching posts and can easily knock them over if they aren’t stable.
Behlen Country Trough for Group Hydration
Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best one. A heavy-duty metal or rubber trough is straightforward, requires no installation, and allows multiple pigs to drink at once. This is particularly useful for large groups or for introducing new animals, as there’s no learning curve involved.
The challenge with troughs is keeping the water clean. Pigs will step in them, root in them, and fill them with mud and manure in minutes. This means you must be committed to dumping and scrubbing the trough daily, sometimes more. Wasted water is also a huge issue, as they are easily tipped by a determined hog.
To make a trough work, choose the heaviest one you can find and consider placing it on a concrete pad or a wooden platform to reduce contamination from mud. While labor-intensive, a well-managed trough is a perfectly viable method, especially for temporary setups or as a backup water source.
Farm Innovators Heated Bowl for Winter Use
Winter presents the single biggest challenge to pig hydration: frozen water. A heated water bowl is a simple, effective solution for preventing this. These are essentially sturdy, chew-resistant bowls with a built-in, thermostatically controlled heating element that keeps water just above freezing.
These bowls are perfect for smaller setups, like a farrowing pen or a quarantine area for a new pig. You just plug them in, and they work. The cords are typically wrapped in steel to prevent chewing, and the low-profile design makes them difficult to tip over.
Their main limitation is capacity. Most heated bowls only hold a few gallons, so they aren’t practical for large groups unless you use several. They also require access to an outdoor-rated electrical outlet, which may not be available in all parts of your farm. But for ensuring a single sow or a pair of feeder pigs has liquid water on a frigid morning, they are invaluable.
Matching Waterer Type to Your Farm’s Needs
There is no single "best" pig waterer. The right choice depends entirely on your specific situation. The goal is to find the system that provides reliable, clean water while fitting your budget, climate, and management style.
Think through these key factors before you buy or build anything:
- Your Setup: Are your pigs in a permanent barn or rotating on pasture? Barns are suited for plumbed-in systems like nipple drinkers or automatic waterers, while pastures demand portable solutions like a barrel waterer.
- Your Climate: If you face months of freezing temperatures, a heated option is non-negotiable. This could be a heated automatic waterer for a larger herd or a simple heated bowl for a couple of pigs.
- Number of Pigs: A trough or a large automatic waterer can serve a whole group. Nipple drinkers are more individual, and you’ll need at least one for every 10-15 pigs.
- Your Budget and Time: A DIY barrel is cheap but requires manual filling. An automatic waterer is expensive upfront but saves immense labor in the long run. Be honest about how much time you want to spend hauling water.
Ultimately, your waterer should solve more problems than it creates. A system that wastes a lot of water might save you money initially but will cost you time and effort in mud management later. Choose the system that best balances cost, convenience, and the specific needs of your animals.
Paying close attention to how your pigs get their water is one of the highest-return investments you can make on your farm. By choosing a system that fits your context, you prevent common health issues, reduce your daily workload, and raise healthier, happier animals. Don’t just give them water; give them the right waterer.
