Method for supplying water in the rearing of livestock and device for producing blocks of an aqueous gel

A method of supplying water in an animal rearing farm, comprising:

• a step of forming a compound by mixing in a vat:
• i. an aqueous substrate that comprises a liquid agro-industry coproduct comprising at least one of:
• solubles selected from the group consisting of maize, wheat, peas, cassava, sugar beet, and sugar cane;
• distillers solubles;
• vinasses;
• molasses;
• yeast creams;
• and
• whey,
• and wherein the aqueous substrate has a water content greater than 35% by weight, is liquid at ambient temperature, and the aqueous substrate is brought to a temperature allowing the dissolution of a gelling agent;
• and
• ii. gelling agent,
• a step of cooling the compound and holding the compound in a temperature range below the temperature allowing dissolution of the gelling agent but sufficient to keep the compound in the liquid state,
• a step of adding at least one supplement selected from the group consisting of a vitamin, a probiotic, and a mineral, wherein the temperature range for the step of holding the compound in a temperature range is defined by two boundaries selected respectively between 45° C. and said temperature allowing dissolution of the gelling agent;
• a step of drawing off the compound from the vat;
• a step of in-line cooling of the compound in at least one exchanger so as to bring the compound below a second temperature, to form a gelled compound;
• a step of transfer of the gelled compound to a distribution line;
• a step of cutting the gelled compound into blocks, at the outlet of the distribution line;
• and
• a step of distribution of the blocks of gel in a rearing container containing the animals, immediately following cutting of the gel into blocks, the step of distribution comprising bringing the rearing container containing the animals so that the distribution line opens into or above the rearing container.