Simple Feeding Tip #2: The Most Important Nutrient

The most important “feed” your animals consume isn’t feed at all. It’s clean, fresh water.

You can buy the highest quality hay, the best feed, and the perfect mineral program, but if animals aren’t drinking enough water, they won’t eat enough feed, digest it as efficiently, or perform to their potential.

Water is involved in nearly every function of the body:
✔ Digestion and nutrient absorption
✔ Milk and egg production
✔ Temperature regulation during hot weather
✔ Muscle function and growth
✔ Healthy circulation and metabolism

Most livestock consume 2 to 5 pounds of water for every pound of dry feed they eat. This can double in extremely hot weather, or during lactation. When water intake drops, feed intake usually follows, especially forage. Fortunately, improving water intake is often simple.

Easy ways to encourage better water consumption:

💧 Clean waterers regularly. Algae, slime, manure, and old feed can make water less appealing – even if it looks “good enough” to us.

💧 Keep water cool in the summer whenever possible. Animals often drink more when water is fresh and not sitting in the hot sun all day.

💧 Check waterers every day. A clogged float valve, frozen line, tipped bucket, or slow leak can quickly become a big problem.

💧 Make sure every animal has access. Dominant animals can prevent timid animals from drinking, especially in smaller pens.

💧 Place water where animals naturally spend time, but away from heavy manure accumulation to help keep it cleaner.

💧 Keep quality salt available at all times. This naturally encourages water intake, and helps the animal balance their electrolytes.

💧 During periods of heat stress, illness, travel, or other stressful events, consider adding an electrolyte, a little molasses, or a hydration supplement to encourage water intake and replace lost minerals.

If you want to improve feed efficiency, animal performance, and overall health, don’t just look at the feed. Start with the water.

When animals drink well, they usually eat well, and that’s where good nutrition begins.

💬 What’s your favorite trick for keeping water clean and encouraging animals to drink more during the summer?