The effect of varying duration of water restriction on drinking behaviour, welfare and production of lactating sows

Abstract

Access to drinking water is essential for animal welfare, but it is unclear if temporary water restriction during the night represents a welfare problem. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of various durations of nightly restriction of water on thirst in loose housed lactating sows from day 10 to 28 of lactation. A total of 48 sows were deprived of water for either 0 h (n = 12; control), 3 h (n = 12; 0500 to 0800 h), 6 h (n = 12; 0200 to 0800 h) or 12 h (n = 12; 2000 to 0800 h). Control sows consumed 22% of their water intake during the night (2000 to 0800 h), whereas water consumption during this time was reduced to 13%, 7% and 0% in sows restricted for 3, 6 and 12 h. With increased duration of nightly water restriction a reduced latency to drink (26.8, 18.0, 5.3 and 6.7 min for 0, 3, 6 and 12 h sows; P < 0.001) and an increased water intake during the 1 st hour after water became accessible (2.1, 3.4, 4.7 and 5.6 l for 0, 3, 6 and 12 h sows; P < 0.001) was seen. During the last 30 min before water became accessible more sows deprived of water investigated (0%, 50%, 75%,and 50% of 0, 3, 6 and 12 h sows; P < 0.01) or forcefully manipulated (0%, 17%, 50% and 33% of 0, 3, 6 and 12 h sows; P < 0.05) the water trough, suggesting frustration and a negative experience of thirst. When all signs of imminent water access were provided, but access was delayed by 25 min, a tendency for more of the sows deprived of water for 6 and 12 h to interact forcefully with the water trough was seen (22%, 18%, 42% and 67% of 0, 3, 6 and 12 h sows; P = 0.09). Duration of water restriction did not affect water consumption on a 24-h basis, nursing behaviour or performance. In conclusion, behavioural indicators of thirst increased with increasing duration of nightly water restriction in lactating sows.

Effects of Journey Duration and Temperature During Pre-Slaughter Transport on Behaviour of Cull Sows in Lairage

“…In the present study, almost 2/3 of the sows were not observed drinking during the first hour after arrival and, furthermore, the number of drinking bouts was considerably low for those that were observed drinking (median 2 events/sow). While the individual water intake was not recorded in the present study, Jensen et al (2016) found loose-housed lactating sows deprived of water for 6 h over-night consume on average 7.5 L water the first three hours after water was re-introduced. In addition, they concluded that with increased water deprivation (0 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h), sows showed signs of increased thirst.…”

“…In addition, they concluded that with increased water deprivation (0 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h), sows showed signs of increased thirst. The majority of the sows in the present study were lactating (63%) and thus may have similar needs for water as found by Jensen et al (2016). Indicators of dehydration like skin elasticity (Thodberg et al, 2019;Thodberg et al, 2023) or physiological measures plasma albumin, protein concentrations or osmolarity (Brown et al, 1999a;Houpt and Yang, 1995) are needed to clarify this.…”

Welfare of pigs during transport

“…In a study of lactating sows, kept loose‐housed, Jensen et al. (2016) showed that behavioural signs of thirst increase with increasing duration of water deprivation (from 0 to 12 h of over‐night deprivation. Based on observations of a post‐deprivation reduced latency to drink and an increased compensatory water intake, the authors suggested that these behaviours were associated with a negative subjective experience of thirst.…”