Effect of water sweetener on the performance of newly weaned pigs offered medicated and unmedicated feed

Abstract

The effects of drinking water supplemented with a commercial sweetener on the performance of newly weaned pigs given medicated or unmedicated pig starter feed was evaluated in four replicate 10-d trials. A significant (P < 0.01) positive correlation (r = 0.51) was found between cumulative feed intake and cumulative water intake. However, sweetening the drinking water was ineffective in promoting water intake and improving the performance of newly weaned pigs. Key words: Water, sweetener, antibiotics, swine