PSXI-11 Drinking device can reduce apparent water consumption and improve device cleanliness without impairing calf performance

Abstract

Abstract Drinker devices can affect feed and water intake, which then affect performance, as well as device cleanliness, water quality and spillage. One hundred and eighteen Holstein male calves (311 ± 1.4 kg and 228 ± 0.6 d of age) were used in a randomized block design to evaluate the effect of drinker device on concentrate and water intake, performance and water spillage during the winter months. Calves were allocated in 6 pens (3 pens/treatment; 19 to 20 calves/pen) with one computerized concentrate feeder and one straw feeder. Pens were assigned to one of the two treatments: one water through (TRO, 35 cm x 35 cm, no pressure was required) or one bowl with nipple facing up (BO, bowl with a 20 cm diameter and 5-cm nipple, bite-style that was activated then animals pressed the nipple). Concentrate and water intake were recorded daily, body weight (BW), drinker device cleanliness, and water spillage (DM of bedding under the drinker) fortnightly, and water quality monthly. Data were analyzed using a mixed-effects model. Final BW, average daily gain, and concentrate intake were not affected by treatment. Apparent water intake tended (P = 0.10) to be greater in TRO (26.5 ± 0.39 L/day) than in BO (25.5 ± 0.39 L/day) and water spillage was lesser in TRO (70.3 ± 1.67 % DM) than BO (75.6 ± 1.67 % DM) pens. No differences in water quality parameters were observed despite cleanliness of TRO was lesser compared with BO devices (83.3 % vs 2.0% had presence of feed, respectively, P < 0.001). Data of the present study are promising; the bowl nipple device reduces 4% apparent water consumption and water spillage with no impairment in animal performance and improving device cleanliness. A replicate trial will be run during summer months to contrast and complete the present study results.