Journal article
The influence of feeder type and the method of group allocation at weaning on voluntary food intake and growth in piglets
Animal Science, Vol.62(01), pp.115-120
1996
Abstract
Two hundred and ten piglets weaned at 30 days of age and weighing 9 kg were allocated to a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to examine the influence of feeder type ('wet and dry' single-space feeder (SSF), 'dry' SSF, or multi-space feeder) and method of group allocation (piglets from different litters were mixed together, or piglets were weaned with their littermates) on performance after weaning. The use of a 'wet and dry' SSF did not enhance growth rate or voluntary food intake (P > 0-05) in the 28 days after weaning. Piglets feeding from 'wet and dry' SSF grew proportionately 0-06 slower in the 28 days following weaning as a result of a 0-45 proportional decrease (P = 0.013) in growth in the 1st week. Piglets mixed together from different litters at weaning grew proportionately 0.34 faster (P = 0.010) in the first 14 days after weaning than piglets weaned as littermates. This initial difference resulted in a 0-14 proportional increase in growth rate from day 1 to 28 (385 v. 339 glday, P < 0.001). Piglets from different litters mixed at weaning consumed proportionately from 0.06 to 0.16 more food (P = 0.096) than piglets weaned as entire litters. No interactions between feeder design and the method of group allocation at weaning occurred for any of the production parameters measured. Single-space feeders failed to increase the production of weaner piglets, whilst mixing non-littermate piglets into a new social group seemingly enhanced performance from weaning to 56 days of age.
Details
- Title
- The influence of feeder type and the method of group allocation at weaning on voluntary food intake and growth in piglets
- Authors/Creators
- J.R. Pluske (Author/Creator)I.H. Williams (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- Animal Science, Vol.62(01), pp.115-120
- Publisher
- British Society of Animal Science
- Identifiers
- 991005544963607891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.51 Dairy & Animal Sciences
- 3.51.799 Farm Animal Welfare
- Web Of Science research areas
- Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
- ESI research areas
- Plant & Animal Science