scholarly journals 8 Effect of group size during the nursery period on wean-to-finish growth performance in a PRRS positive population of pigs

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 3-4
Author(s):  
Heath M Harper ◽  
Rachel Schmitt ◽  
Michael Ellis ◽  
Caleb M Shull ◽  
Clint R Schwab
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Group Size ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Floor Space ◽  
Commercial Practice ◽  
Large Groups ◽  
Positive Population

Abstract It is common commercial practice in wean-to-finish facilities to pin pigs in large groups during the nursery phase. The effect of overstocking on wean-to-finish performance has been studied; however, there is limited information on the effect of group size during the nursery period on overall growth performance, particularly in PRRS positive populations. This study was carried out using a RCBD (blocking factor date of start of test) to evaluate the effect of 3 nursery group size treatments (61, 79, and 96 pigs/pen) on wean-to-finish growth performance (from 6.0 ± 0.10 to 122.2 ±0.8kg BW) in a PRRS positive population. During the 7-wk nursery period, when the group-size treatments were applied, pigs were housed in mixed-sex pens; floor space for all treatments was 2.4ft2/pig. After the nursery period, pigs on all treatments were housed in groups of 34 at a floor space of 6.5ft2/pig. A total of 3,672 pigs in 12 replicates were used. Pen of pigs was the experimental unit; data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) with the model including fixed effect of group size treatment and random effects of block and replicate. During the period from weaning to wk 7 post-weaning, when the group size treatments were applied, growth rate and live weight was lower (P < 0.05) for the largest group size (96 pigs) than for the 2 smaller group sizes (61 and 79 pigs). However, subsequently from wk 7 to end of test and for the overall wean-to-finish growth performance was similar (P > 0.05) for the 3 group size treatments. This study showed that group size (at the same floor space) had an effect on growth performance in the nursery period but had no effect on overall wean-to-finish growth performance in PRRS positive pigs.

scholarly journals The effects of group size and subtherapeutic antibiotic alternatives on growth performance and morbidity of nursery pigs: a model for feed additive evaluation1

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 298-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin M Olsen ◽  
Nicholas K Gabler ◽  
Chris J Rademacher ◽  
Kent J Schwartz ◽  
Wesley P Schweer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Group Size ◽  
Small Groups ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Feed Additive ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Careful Study ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
Large Groups

Abstract The objectives of this experiment were to evaluate the effects of alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGP), two group sizes, and their interaction on nursery pig performance to serve as a model for future AGP alternative studies. A 41-d experiment was conducted in a commercial wean-to-finish barn; 1,300 piglets weaned at 21 d of age (weaned 2 or 4 d prior to experiment; 6.14 ± 0.18 kg BW; PIC 1050 sows and multiple sire lines) were blocked by sire, sex, and weaning date, then assigned to eight treatments: four dietary treatments each evaluated across two group sizes. The four dietary treatments were: negative control (NC), positive control (PC; NC + in-feed antibiotics), zinc oxide plus a dietary acidifier (blend of fumaric, citric, lactic, and phosphoric acid) (ZA; NC + ZnO + acid), and a Bacillus-based direct-fed-microbial (DFM) plus resistant potato starch (RS) (DR; NC + DFM + RS). The two group sizes were 31 or 11 pigs/pen; floor space was modified so area/pig was equal between the group sizes (0.42 m2/pig). There were 7 pens/diet with 11 pigs/pen and 8 pens/diet with 31 pigs/pen. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with pen as the experimental unit. Diagnostic assessment of oral fluids, serum, and tissue samples was used to characterize health status. Pigs experienced natural challenges of acute diarrhea and septicemia in week 1 and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in weeks 4–6. There was a significant interaction between diet and group size for ADG (P = 0.012). PC increased ADG in large and small groups (P &lt; 0.05) and ZA increased ADG only in large groups (P &lt; 0.05). Small groups had improved ADG compared to large groups when fed NC or DR diets (P &lt; 0.05). Similarly, PC increased ADFI (P &lt; 0.05). Compared to NC, ZA improved ADFI in large groups only (P &lt; 0.05; diet × group size: P = 0.015). Pigs fed PC had greater G:F than NC (P &lt; 0.05), and small groups had greater G:F than large groups (P &lt; 0.05). There was no effect of ZA or DR on G:F. Pigs fed PC required fewer individual medical treatments than NC and pigs fed ZA were intermediate (P = 0.024). More pigs were removed from large than small groups (P = 0.049), and there was no effect of diet on removals (P &gt; 0.10). In conclusion, careful study design, protocol implementation, sample collection, and recording of important information allowed us to characterize the health status of this group of pigs and determine treatment effects on growth performance and morbidity.

PSIV-11 Effects of Phytogenic Feed Additives on Growth Performance Traits of Finishing Swine

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 187-188
Author(s):  
Pengcheng Xue ◽  
Don W Giesting ◽  
Mark D Newcomb ◽  
Chad M Pilcher ◽  
Matthew J Ritter
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Feed Additives ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Finishing Pigs ◽  
Performance Traits ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
Commercial Research

Abstract This study was conducted at a commercial research facility and utilized 1,092 finishing pigs (PIC® 337 × Camborough®) in a RCBD with 3 dietary treatments to determine the effects of commercially available phytogenic feed additives on growth performance traits in finishing swine for the last 35 d prior to marketing. The dietary treatments were as follows: 1) Control; 2) Aromex Pro® (AP; Delacon) fed at 0.01%; and 3) Ambitine® (AM; PMI) fed at 0.1%. Pens with 13 pigs/pen and 0.66 m2/pig were randomly allotted to treatments on the basis of live weight and gender. Pigs had ad libitum access to corn-soy diets that met or exceeded the pig’s requirements (NRC, 2012). Aromex Pro® and Ambitine® were added to the diets at the expense of corn. Dietary treatments started on day 0 (BW = 97.7 kg; SEM = 1.04) and were fed throughout the 35 d trial period. On d 21, the two heaviest pigs per pen were marketed, while the remaining pigs in each pen were marketed on d 35. Pigs and feeders were weighed on d 0, 21, and 35. Data were analyzed by using PROC MIXED of SAS® version 9.4, and pen was the experimental unit. The model included the fixed effect of treatment and random effect of replicate. Pre-planned orthogonal contrasts were used to compare AP vs. Control and AM vs. Control. Feeding AP or AM for the last 35 d in finishing both improved (P &lt; 0.05) ADG by 4%, ADFI by 3% and final BW by 1.6 kg over Control, but did not change feed to gain or mortality. These data demonstrate that phytogenic feed additives can improve growth performance traits in finishing swine.

The effect of dietary concentrations of digestible energy on the performance and carcass characteristics of early-weaned pigs

1975 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Campbell ◽  
M. R. Taverner ◽  
P. D. Mullaney
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Shoulder Joint ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Maximum Growth ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Digestible Energy ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility

SUMMARYFifty-four pigs weaned at 3 weeks of age were allocated at an average weight of 5·4 kg to two experiments to examine the effects of diets having digestible energy (DE) concentrations ranging from 2910 to 3940 kcal/kg.In the first experiment pig growth performance and the dry-matter digestibility of the experimental diets were measured between 3 and 8 weeks of age. The composition of the carcass at 8 weeks of age was correlated with the composition of various carcass joints.In the second experiment pig growth performance was measured over the live-weight range 5-4 to 20 kg.The findings were:1. Growth rate was linearly related to DE intake.2. The optimum DE level for maximum growth was 3640 kcal/kg.3. The efficiency of utilization of DE for growth did not vary in the first experiment but was poorest at a DE concentration of 3245 kcal/kg in the second.4. The DE content of the diet had no significant effect on carcass characteristics at 8 weeks of age in the first experiment or at 20 kg live weight in the second.5. The proportion of fat and lean in the 8-week carcass was significantly (P < 0·01) correlated with that of the shoulder joint.

Effect of social group size and initial live weight on feeder space requirement of growing pigs given food ad libitum

2002 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.P. Turner ◽  
M. Dahlgren ◽  
D.S. Arey ◽  
S.A. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Group Size ◽  
Social Group ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Growing Pigs ◽  
Space Requirement ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Feeder Space

AbstractFeeder space allowance should be sufficient to ensure adequate access to food for all group members, irrespective of competitive ability. However, the influence of social group size on minimum feeder space requirement of pigs given food ad libitum is poorly understood. Performance, aggression and feeding behaviour were assessed over a 6-week period from 29·3 (s.e. 0·19) kg live weight, using four replicates of a 2 ✕ 2 factorial design with two group sizes (20 v. 80) (small and large) and two feeder space allowances (32·5 v. 42·5 mm per pig) (low and high). Food intake was significantly lower in the low feeder space allowance treatments (1·44 v. 1·56 (s.e.d. 0·050) kg per pig per day, P < 0·05) and group mean growth rate was reduced in the later phase between 41 and 56 kg live weight. There was no main effect of group size or interactive effect between group size and feeder space allowance on performance. Mean skin lesion score and the frequency of aggression given or received at the feeders was unaffected by treatment. Heavy weight pigs showed similar feeding behaviour in each treatment, but light pigs visited the feeder more frequently in groups of 20 (23·1 v. 16·0 (s.e.d. 2·04) visits per pig per day, P < 0·05) and spent the greatest time feeding when at a low feeder space allowance (5461 v. 4397 (s.e.d. 288·8) s per pig per day, P < 0·05). To avoid a depression in growth rate, pigs >40 kg should be allocated a minimum feeder space allowance of 42·5 mm per pig. There was little indication of a need to specify differential feeder space allowances according to group size.

Effect of garlic meal on growth performance and carcass characteristics of indigenous Venda chickens

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. E. Ditle ◽  
J. W. Ng’ambi ◽  
D. Norris ◽  
O. J. Alabi
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Fat Pad ◽  
Breast Meat ◽  
Carcass Parameters

A study was conducted to determine the growth performance and carcass characteristics of indigenous Venda chickens fed a grower’s diet supplemented with varying levels of garlic meal. The study was based on four diets containing similar energy but different garlic meal supplementation levels of 0, 10, 15 and 25 g/kg DM. At 50 to 91 days, all the growth and carcass parameters measured were improved (P less than 0.05) by garlic meal supplementation. Feed intake, growth rate, feed conversion ratio, live weight, carcass weight, dressing percent, breast meat, thigh, drumstick, gizzard and fat pad weights of Venda chickens were optimized at different garlic meal supplementation levels of 14.7, 15.8, 8.0, 16.4, 14.2, 12.7, 11.2, 12.7, 8.2, 10.5 and 15.1, respectively. These findings have implications on ration formulation for indigenous Venda chickens. Thus, it was concluded that garlic meal supplementation improved feed intake, growth rate, live weight and carcass weight of Venda chickens.

Management strategies to maximize pigmeat output: effect of group size and split-marketing

2005 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. K. O'Connell ◽  
P. B. Lynch ◽  
J. V. O'Doherty
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Group Size ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Conversion Ratio ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Food Conversion ◽  
Food Conversion Ratio ◽  
2D And 3D

AbstractTwo experiments were completed with grower-finisher pigs to determine if pigmeat output, as measured by carcass gain per m2 per year, could be increased, by 1: increasing group size or 2: split-marketing pen groups. In experiment 1, 390 pigs (mean initial live weight 36·7 (s.d. 1·99) kg) were assigned to one of three treatments each with 10 replicates: 11, 13 or 15 pigs per single-sex group in pens measuring 11·04 m2. Space allowance was 1·00, 0·85 and 0·74 m2 per pig, respectively. Pelleted food was provided ad libitum. There were no differences (P > 0·05) between group sizes in growth rate, food intake, food conversion ratio, carcass growth and carcass food conversion ratio, backfat and muscle depth or carcass lean content. Pigmeat output per unit area increased with each increase in group size (234, 279 and 314 kg/m2 per year for 11, 13 and 15 pigs: P < 0·001). In experiment 2, 26 groups of 13 pigs (mean initial live weight 38·3 (s.d. 2·15) kg) were assigned to one of three treatments: 1D - group sold on 1 day (no. = 9), 2D - group sold over 2 days (14 days apart, no. = 10), or 3D - group sold over 3 days (each 7 days apart, no. = 7). Pigs were given a standard liquid diet three times daily. No differences (P > 0·05) were observed between treatments for overall growth rate, food intake, food conversion ratio, carcass weight, carcass lean content, backfat and muscle depth, carcass growth and carcass food conversion ratio or killing-out proportion of pigs. Split-marketing increased cycle length (67·7, 75·9 and 76·8 days for 1D, 2D and 3D, respectively; P < 0·001). Live and carcass daily growth rates per pig place decreased with increase in number of sale days (live: 772, 680, 670 g/day and carcass: 658, 575, 571 g/day; P < 0·001). Carcass gain per unit area decreased in split-marketed groups (358, 318, 312 kg/m2 per year for 1D, 2D and 3D, respectively: P < 0·05). Carcass weight variation (s.d.) within pen decreased with each increase in number of sale days (s. d. 5·28, 3·81 and 1·74, respectively; P < 0·001). In conclusion, pigmeat output, as measured by carcass gains per m2 per year, was improved with increase in group size and by marketing all pigs in a group on a single day.

scholarly journals 17 Effects of birth traits, physical or fenceline boar exposure and group size on pubertal measures and lifetime fertility of replacement gilts

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 12-12
Author(s):  
Robert V Knox ◽  
Ashley Daniel ◽  
Jenny Patterson ◽  
Lidia S Arend ◽  
George Foxcroft
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Group Size ◽  
Delayed Puberty ◽  
Floor Space ◽  
Birth Records ◽  
And Control ◽  
Farrowing Rate

Abstract In experiment 1, prepubertal gilts with (n = 264) and without (n = 43) birth records received Fenceline (FBE) or Physical (PBE) Boar Exposure (BE) in a Boar Exposure Area (BEAR). At 185 d of age, gilts (13/pen) received BE for 15 min/d for 3 wk. At the start of Week 3, anestrual gilts received PG600 or no-PG600 (Control). At estrus, females were moved into stalls and inseminated at 2nd heat. Gilts born in larger litters were lighter (r = -0.26) while heavier pigs grew faster to puberty (r = 0.25). PBE increased estrus in Week 1 (38%) over FBE (28%). In Week 3, PBE-PG600 increased estrus (79.9%) compared with PBE- Control (36.2%), while FBE-PG600 and Control did not differ (52.7 vs. 42.5%). By 6 wk, estrus tended to be greater (P < 0.08) for PBE (91.2%) than FBE (83.2%). Reduced fertility associated with: 1) small birth litter; 2) heaviest birthweight; 3) slower growth rate; 4) delayed puberty and age at 1st service; and 5) abnormal estrus interval. Experiment 2 tested the pubertal response to PBE or FBE with 10 or 20 gilts/pen. Gilts (n = 180) at 168 d with 1.8 m2 floor space received BE once/d for 15 min for 1–3 wk. At the start of Week 3, anestrual gilts received PG600. Estrus in Week 1 (7.3%) did not differ, but a BE x Pen effect occurred in Week 2 (estrus range: 15–34%). In Week 3, PG600 increased estrus (P < 0.03) in Pens of 10 (83.7%) compared to Pens of 20 (64.1%). BE method had no effect and Pens of 10 had greater estrus (P = 0.05) than Pens of 20 (88.3 vs 75.8%). These results indicated that use of PBE, a BEAR, smaller group size, and PG600 can be used in combinations to enhance puberty induction. Birth and pubertal measures influenced service and farrowing rate, litter size, and age at removal.

The influence of dietary protein and level of feeding on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of entire and castrated male pigs

1982 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Campbell ◽  
R. H. King
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Dietary Protein ◽  
Protein Level ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Conversion Ratio ◽  
Food Conversion ◽  
Ad Libitum

ABSTRACT1. Three isocaloric diets containing 170, 210 or 231 g crude protein per kg were given at two levels, and offered ad libitum to entire and castrated male pigs growing from 20 to 70 kg live weight.2. Between 20 and 45 kg, growth rate improved with each increase in level of feeding (P < 005) and, on the ad libitum treatment the food intake and growth performance of both entire and castrated pigs were similar. On the restricted feeding treatments the growth performance of entire, but not of castrated pigs, improved when dietary protein was raised from 170 to 210g/kg (P < 005).3. During the live-weight periods 45 to 70 and 20 to 70kg, raising food intake improved growth rate (P < 005) but increased the food conversion ratio and carcass fat measurements at 70 kg (P < 0·05). However, food conversion ratio and the majority of carcass characteristics of entire pigs fed ad libitum were equivalent to those of castrated pigs fed at the lowest level.4. Dietary protein level had no significant effect on growth performance from 20 to 70 kg or on carcass fat measurements at the latter weight. However, each increase in dietary protein in the live-weight period 45 to 70 kg depressed the performance of castrated pigs (P < 0·05) while that of entire pigs was reduced when the protein level of the diet was raised from 210 to 231 g/kg.

The effect of stocking density on the responses of growing pigs to dietary lysine

2001 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 459-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.S. Ferguson ◽  
G. Lavers ◽  
R.M. Gous
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Growing Pigs ◽  
Lysine Content ◽  
Large White ◽  
Daily Growth ◽  
Body Protein ◽  
Floor Space

AbstractAn experiment was conducted to measure the effects of stocking density (increased number of pigs per pen) on lysine requirements of pigs grown from 25 to 60 kg live weight. Two hundred and sixty-four female Large White ✕ Landrace pigs were assigned at 25 kg to one of four dietary lysine treatments (13·3 (L1); 11·4 (L2); 9·5 (L3) and 7·6 (L4) g/kg) and either seven or 13 pigs per pen (or 1 0 and 0·5 m2 per pig, respectively). An additional treatment of one pig per pen (20 m2 per pig) was included to compare the responses of solitary- versus group-penned pigs. Animals were given ad libitum access to dietary treatments from a mean pen starting weight of 261 (s.e. 0·35) kg to a mean pen finishing weight of 63·4 (s.e. 0·61) kg live weight. There were no significant interactions between dietary lysine content and floor space per pig on food intake (FI), average daily growth rate (ADG), the amount of food per unit of gain (FCR) and the rate of protein retention (PR). Significant interactions were evident for body composition and the rate of lipid retention (LR). Over the weight range 25 to 40 kg there were significant differences in FI (P < 0·05) and FCR (P < 0·001) between dietary lysine treatments but most of these differences had disappeared over the 40 to 60 kg live weight. Individually penned animals had significantly higher (P < 0·05) FI and ADG than group-penned animals. However, there were no differences between seven and 13 pig per pen treatments. Stocking density had no effect on LR or body protein content but did cause a significant reduction in PR (P < 0·001) and an increase in body lipid content (P < 0·05) as the number of pigs per pen increased from seven to 13. Lysine requirements (expressed in g/day) therefore could be seen to be reduced with increasing stocking density. However, as lysine intake was reduced in group-penned animals, the reduced daily requirement does not necessarily warrant a reduction in the lysine content of the food. Feeding according to the requirements for maximum PR will still produce the best carcass and growth performance irrespective of the group size. The improvement in PR associated with higher dietary nutrient levels did not completely offset the adverse physiological effects of higher stocking density but may partly counteract the effect of reduced lysine intake. However, there were indications that feeding crowded pigs a lower dietary lysine concentration may not further reduce the already diminished protein (lysine) growth rate. An additional experiment was performed to test whether the number of feeder bins may have constrained food intake and therefore growth in group-penned animals. The results of this experiment showed that the number of bins had no significant effect on FI, ADG and FCR in group-penned pigs, and therefore a single feeder bin was not considered a constraining factor in pigs housed with limited floor space.

An assessment of pig welfare in very large groups of weaned pigs from outdoor systems

1995 ◽  
Vol 1995 ◽  
pp. 191-191
Author(s):  
A. Xalabarder ◽  
J.A. Roden ◽  
P.R. English ◽  
O. McPherson ◽  
A. Head
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Group Size ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Common Method ◽  
Weaned Pigs ◽  
Large Groups

A common method of housing newly weaned pigs from outdoor systems involves very large groups in straw-bedded pens. Concerns regarding pig welfare on these systems have been expressed in relation to excessive group size, the risk of hypothermia (no supplementary heating), disease challenge and the competition to which smaller piglets are subjected. Accordingly, indices of welfare (health, mortality, behaviour, growth rate and feed efficiency) were monitored in 2 large groups of newly weaned pigs.

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