The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Cran on July 19, 2013, 12:04:13 pm
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Two pigs arrived, the dvo made us put in a push trough for water. Will the pigs work it out themselves or will they need to be shown? I would have thought they'd work it out but haven't gone near it yet, must mention it is only 8 hours
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After that length of time I'd be inclined to make water come out so they can drink and so they know where water comes from
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be careful in this heat if they dont know what to do. they can get sick really quickly if dehydrated.
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I got a float valve one for £25 and was a bit like this http://www.molevalleyfarmers.com/mvf/store/products/galvanised-self-fill-drinking-bowl-25ltr (http://www.molevalleyfarmers.com/mvf/store/products/galvanised-self-fill-drinking-bowl-25ltr)
You can adjust the float valve, so when I put mine up I had it initially set to overfill - water dripping over the side.
So the pigs pretty quickly saw where it was and how to drink from it. Then I adjusted it so it only filled it up to full.
Worked really well for me.
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I got a similar one to jimmy from Supplies for Smallholders. It works well but I guess you don't really need to know that as you have already installed a water trough.
Have you thought of putting a bucket of water next to the water trough just so they don't go without? Once they get the idea of the area to go to I am sure they will test out your new water trough.
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I would put some water out in a bucket, and also show them where the water comes out from. They are not daft but do need a clue :innocent: and must have water at all times. They would also need a wallow to help cool them down.