# Nursery Pig Water Delivery Systems and Drinker Placement ## Key Takeaways - Water is the most critical nutrient for nursery pigs, with deprivation leading to rapid decline and mortality; immediate, easy access to clean water is paramount for successful weaning transition. - Optimal flow rates are crucial: 500-700 mL/minute for newly weaned pigs, increasing to 1-2 L/minute as they grow, to ensure adequate intake without excessive waste. - Drinker height should be adjusted to match pig shoulder height, allowing for a natural drinking posture and minimizing strain, with specific height recommendations provided for different weight ranges. - A standard of one drinker per 10 pigs is recommended, with placement to minimize competition, and water temperature preference for nursery pigs is between 60-70°F, as colder water reduces intake. - Daily checks of all drinkers are essential to identify and rectify blockages or malfunctions, as water intake directly correlates with feed intake and overall health, impacting medication and vaccine delivery efficacy. - Combination watering systems, such as initial trough/cup use alongside nipples, or dual-height nipple rows, can facilitate learning and ensure access for pigs of varying sizes. --- Getting water delivery right in the nursery is one of the highest-impact management decisions you can make for pig performance and health. This guide covers the full range of nursery pig waterer options, drinker height and flow rate standards, installation steps, common mistakes, and troubleshooting. It is written for swine farm owners, herd managers, and stockpeople who want practical, field-ready advice on watering systems for pigs from weaning through the end of the nursery phase. ## At a Glance - **Water is the most critical nutrient.** A nursery pig will die from water deprivation faster than from feed deprivation. Weaned pigs need immediate, easy access to clean water to transition successfully. - **Flow rate matters more than most people think.** Target 500 to 700 mL per minute (about 1 to 1.5 pints) for newly weaned pigs, increasing to 1 to 2 liters per minute as pigs grow. - **Drinker height should match pig shoulder height.** Set nipples or cups so the pig drinks with its head in a natural, slightly upward position, not straining down or up. - **One drinker per 10 pigs is the standard rule.** For nipple drinkers, plan for at least one drinker for every 10 pigs, and place them so pigs do not have to compete. - **Water temperature matters.** Nursery pigs prefer water between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold water (below 50 degrees) reduces intake and can chill pigs. - **Check drinkers daily.** A blocked or malfunctioning drinker is a common cause of poor performance and dehydration. Build a daily check into your routine. - **Cups and troughs reduce waste but need more cleaning.** Nipple drinkers are cleaner but can waste more water if not adjusted. Choose based on your floor type, manure system, and labor. - **Water intake tracks feed intake.** If water intake drops, feed intake drops within hours. Monitor both together. - **Medication and vaccine delivery depend on a functioning water system.** If your water lines, drinkers, or regulators fail, your health program fails too. ## Why Water Delivery Is Critical in the Nursery Phase The nursery phase is the most stressful period in a pig's life. Weaning removes the pig from sow's milk, its source of both nutrition and passive immunity, and places it in a new environment with new pen mates, new feed, and new water sources. The pig must learn to drink from a mechanical device, often within hours of arrival. Pigs that fail to learn to drink quickly become dehydrated, lose weight, and become susceptible to disease. Water is not optional. It is the vehicle for every metabolic process, temperature regulation, and waste removal. A weaned pig's body is about 70 to 80 percent water. Even a 10 percent loss of body water produces visible illness. A 15 percent loss is often fatal. This is why water delivery is not a "set it and forget it" system. It requires daily attention, correct setup, and adjustment as pigs grow. The nursery period typically runs from weaning at about 3 to 4 weeks of age (roughly 12 to 15 pounds) to about 10 weeks of age (roughly 50 to 60 pounds). During this time, water intake per pig climbs from about 0.5 gallons per day at weaning to 1.5 to 2 gallons per day at the end of the nursery phase. Your delivery system must handle both the low end and the high end without failure. ## Nursery Pig Waterer Options You have several types of nursery [pig waterers](/knowledge/animal-farming/swine/pig-water-delivery-systems-drinkers-flow-rates-quality) to choose from. Each has strengths and weaknesses. Your choice depends on your barn design, floor type, manure handling system, labor availability, and budget. ### Nipple Drinkers Nipple drinkers are the most common type in commercial nursery barns. They consist of a stainless steel or brass tube with a plunger that the pig pushes with its snout to release water. Nipples are simple, durable, and relatively easy to clean. They also minimize water spillage compared to open cups or troughs, which helps keep bedding or slats drier. There are two main styles of nipple drinkers: bite-type (also called push-button) and push-type (also called snout-operated). Bite-type nipples require the pig to bite down on the end to release water. Push-type nipples release water when the pig pushes the plunger upward with its snout. For nursery pigs, bite-type nipples are generally easier for small pigs to operate because they require less force. Push-type nipples can be too stiff for newly weaned pigs, especially the smallest pigs in the group. When selecting nipples, look for models designed specifically for nursery pigs. They have smaller orifices and require less activation force than grow-finish nipples. A nursery nipple that requires more than about 1 to 2 pounds of force to activate will be difficult for weaned pigs to use. Test each nipple before installation and again after cleaning. Installation height for nipples is measured from the floor to the center of the nipple. For newly weaned pigs, set the nipple at about 10 to 14 inches from the floor. The exact height depends on pig size. A good rule is to set the nipple at shoulder height of the smallest pig in the pen. As pigs grow, you will need to raise the nipple. Some barns install two rows of nipples at different heights, one for small pigs and one for larger pigs, to avoid constant adjustment. The angle of the nipple matters. Install nipples at a 15 to 30 degree angle from horizontal, with the drinking end pointing slightly downward. This allows the pig to drink in a natural head position and reduces water waste. A nipple installed too steeply downward makes the pig strain. A nipple installed horizontally or pointing upward is harder for small pigs to operate and wastes more water. ### Cup Drinkers Cup drinkers are nipples mounted inside a shallow bowl or cup. The pig pushes the nipple and water collects in the cup, allowing the pig to drink without holding the nipple in its mouth. Cups reduce water waste and make it easier for small pigs to get water. They are a good option for the first few days after weaning when pigs are learning to drink. The downside of cups is sanitation. Feed dust, manure, and bedding can collect in the cup, requiring daily cleaning. In a warm nursery, cups can also harbor bacteria if not cleaned regularly. If you use cups, build a daily cleaning routine into your schedule. Check each cup for debris and flush it with clean water. Cup height follows the same principle as nipple height. Set the top of the cup at about shoulder height of the smallest pig. For weaned pigs, that is typically 10 to 12 inches from the floor. Raise the cup as pigs grow. ### Trough Drinkers Trough drinkers are long, shallow pans with a float valve that maintains a small reservoir of water. Pigs drink directly from the trough. Troughs are effective for the first few days after weaning because they mimic the sow's milk source in that pigs do not have to learn to operate a mechanism. Pigs simply lower their head and drink. Troughs are also useful for delivering medication or electrolytes to a large group of pigs quickly. You can add water-soluble products directly to the trough. The major drawback of troughs is water quality and sanitation. Water in an open trough warms quickly, collects feed dust and manure, and can become contaminated. Troughs need to be dumped, scrubbed, and refilled daily, sometimes twice daily in hot weather. They also waste more water than nipples or cups because pigs splash and play in them. Use troughs only for the first 3 to 7 days after weaning, then transition pigs to nipples or cups. Leaving troughs in place for the entire nursery phase increases the risk of waterborne disease and adds significant labor. ### Combination Systems Many commercial nurseries use a combination approach. They place one trough or cup drinker in each pen for the first few days, alongside nipple drinkers set at the correct height. This gives pigs an immediate water source while they learn to use the nipples. Once the group is drinking consistently from nipples, usually within 3 to 5 days, you remove the trough or cup. Another combination is to install two rows of nipples at different heights in each pen. This allows the same pen to house pigs of different sizes without constant adjustment. It also provides redundancy if one nipple fails. ## Nursery Drinker Height and Spacing Standards Drinker height is a simple adjustment with big consequences. A nipple set too high forces a pig to stretch and strain, which reduces water intake. A nipple set too low forces a pig to kneel or drink at an unnatural angle, which also reduces intake and increases waste. The goal is to place the drinker so the pig drinks with its head in a natural position, mouth slightly below shoulder level. Use the following height guidelines as starting points. Adjust based on the actual size of your pigs. | Pig weight range | Nipple height from floor | Cup height from floor | |---|---|---| | 10 to 15 pounds (weaning) | 10 to 12 inches | 8 to 10 inches | | 15 to 30 pounds | 12 to 16 inches | 10 to 14 inches | | 30 to 50 pounds | 16 to 20 inches | 14 to 18 inches | | 50 to 60 pounds (end of nursery) | 20 to 24 inches | 18 to 22 inches | These ranges assume a solid or slatted floor with minimal bedding. If you use deep bedding, measure from the top of the bedding, not the floor. Bedding depth changes over time, so check drinker height relative to the bedding surface regularly. Spacing between drinkers within a pen depends on pen size and pig number. The standard is one drinker per 10 pigs. For a pen of 20 pigs, provide at least two drinkers. For a pen of 50 pigs, provide at least five drinkers. Place drinkers in separate locations within the pen, not all in one corner. This reduces competition and ensures that [dominant](/blog/careers/dominant-definition-biology) pigs cannot block access for timid pigs. If you use two nipple drinkers in a pen, place them at least 18 to 24 inches apart. If you use a single drinker in a small pen, place it away from the feeder and away from the sleeping area. Pigs should not have to cross through the dunging area to reach water. In a typical nursery pen, place drinkers along the aisle side or the side wall, about one-third of the pen length from the front. ## Pig Water Flow Rate Standards Flow rate is the volume of water delivered per unit of time, usually measured in milliliters per minute or liters per minute. Flow rate is as important as drinker height. If the flow is too low, pigs cannot get enough water quickly, especially during peak drinking times after feed delivery or during hot weather. If the flow is too high, water splashes and wastes, wetting the floor and increasing humidity and ammonia. The following flow rate guidelines apply to nursery pigs: | Pig weight range | Flow rate per nipple | |---|---| | 10 to 15 pounds | 500 to 700 mL per minute | | 15 to 30 pounds | 700 to 1000 mL per minute | | 30 to 50 pounds | 1000 to 1500 mL per minute | | 50 to 60 pounds | 1500 to 2000 mL per minute | To put these numbers in perspective, 500 mL per minute is about 1 pint per minute. A weaned pig needs roughly 0.5 gallons (about 2 liters) per day at weaning. At 500 mL per minute, a pig needs only about 4 minutes of total drinking time per day to meet its water requirement. That sounds easy, but pigs do not drink continuously. They drink in short bouts of 30 to 60 seconds, several times per hour. If the flow rate is too low, each drinking bout delivers less water, and the pig must spend more time at the drinker. In a competitive pen, that reduces intake for timid pigs. Measure flow rate at each drinker at least monthly, and more often in the first week after weaning. To measure, hold a graduated container under the nipple and time how long it takes to fill 500 mL. If it takes 60 seconds, the flow is 500 mL per minute. If it takes 30 seconds, the flow is 1000 mL per minute. Adjust the regulator or valve until the flow is within the target range for your pig size. Water pressure in the line affects flow rate. Most nursery barns use a pressure regulator set between 10 and 20 psi. Higher pressure does not necessarily mean higher flow at the nipple, because the nipple restricts flow. The correct regulator setting depends on the nipple model, line diameter, and number of nipples on the line. Follow the manufacturer's recommendation for your specific nipple and regulator. ## Step by Step: Setting Up a Nursery Water System The following steps assume you are setting up a nursery room before pig arrival. Adjust the sequence to fit your barn layout. ### Step 1: Flush and Sanitize the Water Lines Before any pigs arrive, flush all water lines thoroughly. Stagnant water in the lines can harbor bacteria, biofilm, and debris. Open every drinker and let water run until it is clear and free of sediment. If the barn has been empty for more than a few days, consider sanitizing the lines with a hydrogen peroxide based line cleaner or a dilute chlorine solution. Follow the product label for concentration and contact time. After sanitizing, flush thoroughly with clean water until no sanitizer remains. ### Step 2: Check and Adjust Water Pressure Inspect the pressure regulator on each water line. Clean or replace the regulator if it is dirty or faulty. Set the pressure according to the manufacturer's recommendation for your nipple model and pig size. As a starting point, set the regulator between 10 and 15 psi for nursery pigs. Then test flow rate at several nipples along the line, not just the one nearest the regulator. Flow should be consistent from the first to the last nipple on the line. If flow drops significantly at the end of the line, the line diameter may be too small, or there may be a partial blockage. ### Step 3: Set Drinker Height for Arrival Weight Measure the height of each nipple or cup from the floor or bedding surface. Adjust to the correct height for the expected arrival weight of your pigs. If you are weaning at 12 to 14 pounds, set nipples at about 10 to 12 inches. If you are weaning heavier pigs at 15 to 18 pounds, set nipples at 12 to 14 inches. If you have a wide weight range within the group, set the drinker for the smallest pigs. The smallest pigs are the ones most at risk of dehydration, so make sure they can reach the drinker easily. ### Step 4: Provide an Immediate Water Source For the first 3 to 7 days after weaning, provide an additional water source that is easy for pigs to access. This can be a trough drinker, a cup drinker, or even a shallow pan placed on the floor. Place it in the same area as the nipple drinkers so pigs learn to associate the water area with drinking. This immediate source reduces the learning curve and ensures that even the slowest pigs get water in the first critical hours. ### Step 5: Observe Pig Behavior at the Drinker Within the first few hours after placement, watch how pigs interact with the drinkers. You should see pigs investigating the nipples, pushing them, and drinking. If you see pigs standing at the drinker but not drinking, or pigs that appear to be trying to drink but cannot activate the nipple, check the nipple force. A nipple that is too stiff will frustrate small pigs. Replace stiff nipples with low force models. Also watch for pigs that are drinking from the floor or from the manure slats. This is a sign that the drinker height is wrong, the flow rate is too low, or the nipple is not accessible. Correct the problem immediately. ### Step 6: Adjust Drinker Height as Pigs Grow Nursery pigs grow quickly. A pig that arrives at 12 pounds can reach 30 pounds in 3 to 4 weeks. That same pig will reach 50 to 60 pounds by the end of the nursery phase. Drinker height must keep pace. Check drinker height weekly and raise nipples as needed. A common schedule is to raise nipples by 2 to 4 inches every 2 to 3 weeks. If you have two rows of nipples at different heights, you may only need to adjust the lower row as pigs grow and move to the higher row. ### Step 7: Monitor Water Intake Daily Track water intake at the room or barn level using a water meter. Record daily water use per room. Divide by the number of pigs in the room to get average water use per pig per day. Compare this to the expected intake for your pig size and barn temperature. A sudden drop in water intake is an early warning sign of disease, drinker failure, or water quality problems. A sudden increase may indicate a leak or a stuck nipple. Expected water intake for nursery pigs: | Pig weight | Daily water intake per pig | |---|---| | 10 to 15 pounds | 0.3 to 0.5 gallons | | 15 to 30 pounds | 0.5 to 1.0 gallons | | 30 to 50 pounds | 1.0 to 1.5 gallons | | 50 to 60 pounds | 1.5 to 2.0 gallons | These are general guidelines. Intake increases in hot weather and decreases in cold weather. Intake also increases when pigs are on high protein diets or when feed intake is high. ## Common Mistakes in Nursery Pig Watering Many nursery water problems are caused by the same recurring mistakes. Recognizing these mistakes in your own barn is the first step to fixing them. ### Mistake 1: Setting Drinker Height for the Average Pig Instead of the Smallest Pig The average pig in a weaned group is not the pig at risk. The smallest pigs in the group are the ones that fail to drink, dehydrate, and become runts. If you set the drinker height for the average pig, the smallest pigs cannot reach it. Set drinkers for the smallest pig in the pen. You can always raise the drinker later as pigs grow. ### Mistake 2: Ignoring Flow Rate Many producers set the water pressure once at the regulator and never check flow at the drinkers again. Over time, nipples clog with mineral deposits, rust, or feed dust. A nipple that delivered 1000 mL per minute when new may deliver only 300 mL per minute after months of use. This is a silent failure because the nipple still works, just poorly. Check flow rate at every drinker at least monthly. Clean or replace nipples that have fallen below the target range. ### Mistake 3: One Drinker for Too Many Pigs The one drinker per 10 pigs rule is a minimum, not a target. In the first week after weaning, when pigs are learning to drink and competition is high, more drinkers are better. If you have 20 pigs in a pen, provide at least 2 drinkers, and consider adding a trough or cup for the first few days. Pigs that cannot access a drinker within a few minutes of feeling thirsty will not wait patiently. They will become frustrated, fight, or give up. ### Mistake 4: Placing Drinkers in the Wrong Location Drinkers placed in the hottest part of the pen, near the heater, or in the sleeping area are used less. Pigs prefer to drink in a cool, well ventilated area. Place drinkers away from the heat source and away from the dunging area. If drinkers are in the dunging area, pigs will not want to stand there to drink, and the water will be contaminated with manure. ### Mistake 5: Neglecting Water Temperature Nursery pigs prefer water between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In cold weather, water entering the barn from a well or municipal supply can be well below 50 degrees. Cold water reduces water intake, which reduces feed intake and growth. In hot weather, water in uninsulated pipes can become too warm, also reducing intake. Insulate water lines in unheated areas and consider water heaters or heat exchangers if water temperature is a persistent problem. ### Mistake 6: Using Grow-Finish Nipples in the Nursery Grow-finish nipples are designed for larger pigs with stronger snouts. They require more force to activate and deliver higher flow rates. Newly weaned pigs often cannot activate these nipples, especially the smallest pigs. Use nursery specific nipples for the first 2 to 3 weeks after weaning. You can switch to grow-finish nipples when pigs reach about 30 to 40 pounds. ### Mistake 7: Forgetting to Flush Lines After Medication Water soluble medications and vaccines can leave residues in water lines. These residues can clog nipples and promote bacterial growth. After any water medication event, flush the lines thoroughly with clean water. Run water through every drinker until the water runs clear. Then check flow rate at several drinkers to ensure the lines are not blocked. ### Mistake 8: Not Checking Drinkers Daily A blocked nipple, a stuck float valve, or a broken regulator can take a drinker out of service without any obvious sign. Pigs do not tell you when a drinker fails. They just drink less, grow slower, and become more susceptible to disease. Build a daily drinker check into your morning and evening rounds. Look at each drinker. Push it to confirm it releases water. Watch for pigs standing at the drinker and check that water is flowing. ## Water Quality and Sanitation Water quality affects water intake. Pigs will drink less if the water tastes bad, smells bad, or is contaminated. The following water quality parameters are relevant for nursery pigs. Total dissolved solids (TDS) above 3000 ppm can reduce water intake and performance. Sulfate above 1000 ppm can cause diarrhea. Nitrate above 100 ppm can be toxic. Iron above 0.3 ppm can stain drinkers and promote bacterial growth. Have your water tested at least annually, and more often if you notice reduced intake or unexplained diarrhea. Biofilm in water lines is a common problem in nursery barns. Biofilm is a slimy layer of bacteria and organic material that coats the inside of pipes. It can clog nipples, harbor pathogens, and reduce water flow. Biofilm is difficult to see from the outside. If you notice reduced flow, recurring nipple blockages, or poor water intake despite correct settings, suspect biofilm. Treat the lines with a biofilm remover according to the product label, then flush thoroughly. Water line sanitation between groups is essential. After pigs are removed and before the next group arrives, flush all lines, remove and clean all drinkers, and sanitize the system. This is especially important if the previous group had a disease outbreak. Consult your veterinarian for a sanitation protocol that matches your barn's disease history. ## Monitoring and Recordkeeping You cannot manage what you do not measure. Keep simple, consistent records of water delivery and pig performance. The following records are useful. ### Daily Water Intake Record total water use per room per day. Use a water meter on each room or barn. If you do not have individual room meters, install them. Room level water data helps you identify problems early. A drop in water intake of 20 percent or more from the previous day is a red flag. Check drinkers, water quality, and pig health immediately. ### Drinker Checks Keep a simple log of daily drinker checks. Record the date, room, pen, and any drinkers that were blocked, leaking, or not functioning. Record what you did to fix the problem. This log helps you identify recurring patterns, such as certain nipples that clog repeatedly or certain pens where drinkers are frequently damaged. ### Flow Rate Readings Record flow rate for each drinker at least monthly. Note the date, room, pen, drinker location, and flow rate. Compare readings over time. A gradual decline in flow rate suggests mineral buildup or biofilm. A sudden drop suggests a blockage or a damaged nipple. ### Water Quality Tests Keep records of water quality tests, including the date, the laboratory, and the results for TDS, pH, hardness, iron, sulfate, nitrate, and bacteria. Review these records annually and after any water source change. ### Pig Performance Track weaning weight, nursery exit weight, average daily gain, and mortality. Water delivery problems often show up first as reduced average daily gain or increased mortality. If your nursery performance declines, review your water records to see if water intake or drinker function changed at the same time. ## When to Call a Veterinarian or Extension Agent Most water delivery problems are management problems that you can fix yourself. However, some situations warrant professional help. ### Call Your Veterinarian If - Pigs show signs of dehydration (sunken eyes, dry mouth, lethargy, skin that does not spring back when pinched) despite drinkers appearing to work. - Water intake drops suddenly and multiple pigs are affected. - Pigs develop diarrhea that does not respond to simple management changes. - You suspect waterborne disease such as colibacillosis or salmonellosis. - Pigs are drinking excessively (polydipsia), which can indicate disease or toxicity. - You need to design a water medication or vaccine program and are unsure about dosing, water stability, or line cleaning. ### Call Your Extension Agent If - You are designing a new nursery barn or remodeling an existing barn and need advice on water system layout, drinker selection, or line sizing. - You want to compare different drinker types or brands and need independent performance data. - You are experiencing chronic water intake problems and have not been able to identify the cause. - You need help interpreting water quality test results. - You want to implement a water conservation or manure management strategy and need guidance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How much water does a nursery pig need per day? A newly weaned pig at 10 to 15 pounds needs about 0.3 to 0.5 gallons per day. That increases to about 0.5 to 1.0 gallons per day at 15 to 30 pounds, 1.0 to 1.5 gallons per day at 30 to 50 pounds, and 1.5 to 2.0 gallons per day at 50 to 60 pounds. These are averages. Hot weather, high feed intake, and certain diets increase water needs. Monitor actual intake with a water meter and compare to these targets. ### How do I measure flow rate at a nipple drinker? Use a graduated container and a stopwatch or your phone timer. Hold the container under the nipple and activate the nipple fully. Time how long it takes to collect 500 mL. If it takes 60 seconds, the flow is 500 mL per minute. If it takes 30 seconds, the flow is 1000 mL per minute. Compare your reading to the target for your pig size. Adjust the regulator or clean the nipple if the flow is too low. ### What is the correct nursery drinker height? Set the drinker so the pig drinks with its head in a natural position, mouth slightly below shoulder height. For a 10 to 15 pound pig, set the nipple at 10 to 12 inches from the floor. For a 15 to 30 pound pig, set it at 12 to 16 inches. For a 30 to 50 pound pig, set it at 16 to 20 inches. For a 50 to 60 pound pig, set it at 20 to 24 inches. If pigs range in size, set for the smallest pig and raise as pigs grow. ### How many drinkers do I need per pen? Provide at least one drinker per 10 pigs. For a pen of 20 pigs, provide at least 2 drinkers. For a pen of 50 pigs, provide at least 5 drinkers. Place drinkers in separate locations within the pen to reduce competition. In the first week after weaning, consider adding a trough or cup drinker as an additional, easy to access water source. ### Should I use nipple drinkers or cup drinkers for nursery pigs? Both work. Nipple drinkers are cleaner, require less daily labor, and are less likely to harbor bacteria. Cup drinkers are easier for small pigs to learn to use and waste less water. Many producers use cups or troughs for the first 3 to 7 days after weaning, then switch to nipples. Choose based on your floor type, manure system, and labor availability. ### Why are my pigs not drinking enough water? Check drinker height, flow rate, and water temperature first. Then check water quality for high TDS, sulfate, iron, or nitrate. Look for biofilm in the lines. Observe pig behavior at the drinker to see if pigs are struggling to activate nipples. Check for competition and dominance issues in the pen. If you cannot identify the cause, call your veterinarian or extension agent. ### How often should I clean nursery water lines? Flush water lines at least weekly to remove sediment and prevent biofilm. Sanitize lines between groups with a product labeled for livestock water lines. After any water medication event, flush lines thoroughly. If you have hard water or high iron, you may need to clean nipples and lines more often. ### What water temperature do nursery pigs prefer? Nursery pigs prefer water between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Water below 50 degrees reduces intake and can chill pigs. Water above 80 degrees also reduces intake. Insulate water lines in unheated areas and consider water heaters if temperature is a problem. ## Related Farming Guides This section will be populated with links to related farming guides on nursery pig management, swine health, and barn equipment. Check back for updates or explore the full farming library for more in depth resources on pig production. ## Related Clinical & Scientific Guides * [Pig Enrichment Programs and Behavior Monitoring](/knowledge/animal-farming/swine/pig-enrichment-programs-and-behavior-monitoring) * [Swine Handling Facility Design for Safe Pig Movement](/knowledge/animal-farming/swine/swine-handling-facility-design-safe-pig-movement) * [Swine Feeding Management for Grow-Finish Pigs](/knowledge/animal-farming/swine/swine-feeding-management-for-grow-finish-pigs) ## References - National Pork Board: https://www.pork.org/ - USDA APHIS Swine Health: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/swine - FAO Pig Production: https://www.fao.org/pig-production-and-products/en/ - FAO Animal Production and Health: https://www.fao.org/animal-production/en/ - WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health): https://www.woah.org/en/home/ > This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, treatment, public-health guidance, or regulatory reporting.