Feeder location did not affect performance of weanling pigs in large groups

B. F. Wolter, M. Ellis, S. E. Curtis, E. N. Parr, D. M. Webel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Crossbred pigs weaned at 17 d of age (n = 1,760; mean initial BW = 5.6 ± 0.7 kg) were used in two 4-wk trials (four replicates per trial) to evaluate the effects of three pen designs on pig performance. The designs were 1) large group size (100 pigs/pen) with five two-sided feeders in a single, central location in the pen; 2) large group size (100 pigs/pen) with five two-sided feeders in multiple (five) locations in the pen; and 3) small group size (20 pigs/pen) with a single two-sided feeder in a central location in the pen. Each feeder provided two 20.3-cm-wide feeding places on each side. Pigs had free access to feed and water. Feeder-trough space (4 cm/pig) and floor-area allowance (0.17 m2/pig) were the same for all treatments. Pigs in the large-group treatments were lighter (15.6 and 15.6. vs. 16.0 kg; P < 0.01) at the end of wk 4 and had lower ADG (358 and 357 vs 373 g; P < 0.01) and ADFI (510 and 521 vs 544 g; P < 0.01) during wk 2 through 4 than pigs in small groups. Gain:feed ratio was similar (P > 0.05) for all treatment groups throughout the study. For large groups, feed disappearance from each of the five feeders was similar (P > 0.05) for both multiple- and single-location treatments. In summary, large group size reduced pig growth performance, but the approach to providing multiple feeding locations that was employed in this experiment did not increase feed intake or growth performance of pigs in the large groups.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2784-2789
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of animal science
Volume78
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2000

Keywords

  • Animal Feeding
  • Group Size
  • Pigs

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Food Science
  • Animal Science and Zoology
  • Genetics

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