Water distribution systems in pig farm buildings: Critical elements of design and management

Abstract

Drinking water distribution systems (WDSs) within buildings on pig farms have critical elements of their design and management that impact water provision to pigs, water quality, the efficacy of in‐water antimicrobial dosing, and, thus, pig health and performance. We used a mixed‐methods approach to survey managers of 25 medium to large single‐site and multi‐site pig farming enterprises across eastern and southern Australia. We found wide variation in the configuration (looped or branched) and total length of WDSs within buildings across farms and in pipe materials and diameters. Within many conventional buildings and some eco‐shelters, WDSs were ‘over‐sized’, comprising large‐diameter main ..