Clean drinking water for your cows: more important than you think

Home Barn equipment Clean drinking water for your cows: more important than you think

A bathtub a day

It is clear that sufficient clean drinking water is necessary for your cows. But do you know exactly how important and necessary this is for the health and milk production of your animals? And how can you best offer water?

Direct influence on milk production

Water is indispensable for all animals, for hydration, temperature regulation, digestion, blood circulation and waste removal, for example. But water is also extremely important for a cow's milk production. That is not surprising, since milk consists of 90% water.

For every liter of milk the cow produces, she needs 4 liters of water. When you consider that the average milk yield of a Dutch dairy cow is 29 liters, that amounts to 116 liters per day! Literally a bathtub full

The amount of feed a cow eats per day also influences milk yield. Eating more means more energy and nutrients to make milk. She also likes clean water, dirty water will ensure that she drinks less and therefore eats less.

So if there is no clean water, or not enough water available, this has a negative effect on milk yield.

How does the cow prefer to drink?

Research has been conducted into the drinking behavior of cows. It is important to respond to this in order to ensure that the cow drinks enough.

Research has shown that cows prefer a high drinking trough 60 cm above the ground over a water trough on the ground. It is advisable to mount the water bowl a little higher to prevent manure from being added.

A cow also has a preference for a type of water bowl: half prefer a large open drinking bowl into which she can put her entire mouth. Next comes the open quick drinker and the drinking trough with pressure valve appears to be the most popular with only about 15% of the cows.

She prefers a slightly lukewarm temperature, but she is not very picky about this.

A cow not only drinks a lot, but also quickly

A cow drinks an average of 116 liters per day in about 7 to 12 portions. She can drink up to 20 liters of this in just one minute. A water layer of at least 7 cm deep is also necessary for easy drinking.

It is therefore important that there is sufficient pressure on the pipes at all times to be able to deliver this. Sufficiently thick pipes and a buffer tank can guarantee this. When this water pressure is guaranteed, one quick drinker per 15 cows is recommended, and a water bowl with a length of about 6 to 9 cm per cow.

Guarantee clean water

It is clear: the cow wants a nice big drinking bowl. But you can probably already see that they get dirty quickly. Food, drool, snot, manure… That's why a good drinking bowl is one is easy to clean.

The best drinking troughs are therefore developed in such a way that they are easy to clean. Smooth materials, water drainage and practical cleaning points make daily checking and cleaning of water containers as easy as possible.

In addition, guaranteeing water quality is also an important point of attention. If you use groundwater instead of tap water, it is important to check the water quality at least annually. Biofilm (dirt) can also form in the pipes, especially in flexible pipes. It is therefore important to disinfect them in doses.

Information courtesy of one of our suppliers; Suevia.

Efficient water management in your cow stables

A system where unlimited clean water is available at all times for all your animals. Is important for the well-being and performance of your cows.

Our experts are happy to look at how we can organize the water supply in your stable so that there is always water everywhere for every animal and so that you spend as little energy as possible on keeping it clean.

Request without obligation

Our drinking water systems

Natural drinking, easy cleaning. From 50 to 400 cm long.

Hygi drinking troughs

Offer water everywhere. Different types available.

Fast drinkers

Ensure sufficient water pressure.

Break tank

Drinking water available all year round.

Heating

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