Nipple flow rate input.
One adult pig uses about one liter of water per minute. Most farms use pre-set (standard) nipple orifices with water pressures of 20 to 40 pounds per square inch (1.36 to 2.72 atm). Operators increase or decrease water pressure to regulate water flow, often without knowing the actual nipple flow rate.
Adjust nipple orifice settings for accurate water flow
To measure the volume of water flow with the nipple, open the nipple and measure the volume of water poured in one minute. Adjust the water pressure and orifice size for the desired flow rate. As a rule of thumb, teak should not be below 10 pounds per square inch (0.68 atm) or above 50 pounds per square inch (3.4 atm).
Think about consumption on the other hand
Normally, the amount of water needed for a pig is calculated based on its daily intake. However, when temperatures exceed 27°C, pigs tend to drink the bulk of their daily allowance within the first three hours in the morning.
A typical fattening unit for 1,000 head should have 40 units, such as 20 on each side of the room. Each of the 20 squads is equipped with two nipple drinkers, each with a flow rate of about 0.95 liters per minute. If the pigs activate all the nipples at the same time, the flow rate per drinking line would be 10 gallons per minute or 37.9 liters (40 drinkers multiplied by 1 quart/min and divided by 4 quarts/gallon).
Lines smaller than 25.4 mm in diameter - will not be able to meet peak water demand, resulting in reduced water flow in some drinkers. Supplying water from inside the line rather than from the end will halve the water consumption, in which case 45 mm diameter lines will provide enough water for the pigs.
Small diameter hose connections and medicators reduce water consumption
The diameter of the supply line may not be the only limiting factor
Even with the correct feed line diameter, errors in system setup can significantly limit water flow. Water meters, regulators, filters and pressure reducers have 45 mm connectors. Reducing the PVC pipe by 25 mm, or 3.175 cm with an adapter, results in the same flow capacity as a 45 mm diameter line has. Perhaps the most common reduction in water is in the connection of medicators. Most models with a capacity of 42 l / min, connected to a line with a diameter of 45 mm, which reduces the volume of water. The use of 12.7 mm diameter hoses, used in washing machines, further reduces the flow capacity of the system.
A 3 mm layer of dirt reduces capacity by 30%.
A dirty line reduces throughput
It is understandable that the drinking line sometimes gets contaminated with biological deposits. A 3 mm layer of dirt reduces throughput by 30%. In other words, the water flow is reduced from 21 l/min to 15 l/min. Regular cleaning and rinsing of the drinking line helps prevent the accumulation of dirt.
Checking pig watering lines is especially important during hot weather. Early troubleshooting and adjustment of the watering system will contribute to the healthy development of the livestock.
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