scholarly journals Effect of stocking density and use of environmental enrichment materials on the welfare and the performance of pigs in the growth and finishing phases

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. e0504
Author(s):  
Edilson D. Caldas ◽  
André Michelon ◽  
Luciana Foppa ◽  
Sandra M. Simonelli ◽  
Carlos R. Pierozan ◽  
...  

Aim of study: To evaluate the effects of stocking density and the use of environmental enrichment (EE) objects on the welfare and the performance of pigs in the growing and finishing phases.Area of study: The southern region of Brazil.Material and methods: A total of 240 pigs, 120 immunocastrated males and 120 females, with an initial weight of 22.38 ± 2.38 kg and mean age of 65 days, were submitted to two stocking densities conditions (0.85 and 1.28 m²pig) with and without EE for 117 days. The experimental design was a 2×2×2 factorial (two categories, two densities, and two EE conditions), with six replicates. Performance variables and behavior were evaluated.Main results: For stocking density, there was a significant difference in the finishing phase from 148 to 161 days of age for the final weight (FW), average daily weight gain (ADWG), and feed conversion rate (FCR). For the EE factor, there was no difference in any of the phases or in the overall period. In the overall period, the higher availability of space improved the results of FW (140.56 kg vs 136.63 kg), ADWG (1.005 kg vs 0.974 kg), and FCR (2.05 vs 2.10). There was no effect of EE, stocking densities, or their interaction on the frequency of different behaviors of the pigs in the growth and finishing phases.Research highlights: There was no effect of interactions between enriched environments, stocking densities, and sex for animal performance and behavioral frequencies; however, differences between the factors were observed separately. The higher availability of space improved the results of FW, ADWG, and FCR.

2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.F. Oliveira ◽  
R.T.R.N. Soares ◽  
J.P. Molino ◽  
R.L. Costa ◽  
T.P. Bonaparte ◽  
...  

In modern pig farming, the search for systems that promote environmental quality and welfare is an important issue. In this sense, the present study evaluated the effects of environmental enrichment on the performance and behavior of piglets. In a completely randomized block design, 32 piglets (7.43kg mean weight), weaned at 28 days of age, were distributed into four treatments (control without enrichment, environmental enrichment with wood shavings as bedding; environmental enrichment with hanging toys and environmental enrichment with wood shavings + hanging toys). Four repetitions were performed for each treatment, with two animals per experimental unit. The instant scan sampling technique was used to record the behavior of each piglet for 20h. Animals receiving environmental enrichment with wood shavings + hanging toys were heavier at 70 days (P=0.02), exhibited higher total and daily weight gain (P=0.04 and P=0.02, respectively) and better feed conversion (P=0.02). Environmental enrichment increased the interaction of animals with the environment, allowing them to exhibit natural behaviors.


2011 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 233-237
Author(s):  
Han Wen Yuan ◽  
Fang Chen ◽  
Qiao Qing Xu ◽  
Shi Yuan Gong ◽  
Zhang Jie Chu ◽  
...  

The effects of stocking density on various growth parameters and sex reversal in the rice field eel (Monopterus albus) were investigated by evaluating steroid hormone, the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and sex ratio. Fish (mean initial weight of 9.88 ± 0.70 g) were stocked to densities of 4, 20, 36, 52, 68, 84 or 100 fish/m2 in cages (2 m × 1 m × 1.5 m) in a pond, with five replicate cages for each density. Fish were fed for 420 days on a formulated isocaloric diet containing 40.22% crude protein and 12.86 MJ/kg. Serum E2 and T concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassays. There were no significant differences in final bodyweight (FBW) and daily weight gain (DWG) for fish in the groups containing less than 52 fish/m2, while FBW and DWG were significant lower in groups at 68 fish/m2 or more. Specific growth rate (SGR) differed significantly between the 84 and 100 fish/m2 groups compared with the 4, 20 and 36 fish/m2 groups. There was no significant difference in SGR in groups containing less than 84 fish/m2. There were no significant difference between the 4 and 20 fish/m2 groups in net yield (NY), but these groups did differ significantly from the other groups. The final condition factors of fish stocked at 84 or 100 fish/m2 were significantly lower than fish stocked at the other densities. E2 and T hormone concentrations declined as stocking density increased, while GSI values increased initially but then reduced with increasing stocking density. Female ratio and survival decreased with increasing stocking density. The proportion of male fish was significantly greater in the three highest stocking density groups. Therefore, high stocking density may promote sex change from female to male in M. albus.


2012 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 192-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.M.R. Sousa ◽  
C.A. Agostinho ◽  
F.A. Oliveira ◽  
D. Argentim ◽  
P.K. Novelli ◽  
...  

The performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) raised in cages furnished with an automatic dispenser, supplied at different frequencies (once per hour and once every two hours) and periods (daytime, nighttime and both) was evaluated. Eighteen 1.0m³ cages were placed into a 2000m² pond, two meters deep with a 5% water exchange. One hundred and seventy tilapias, with initial weight of 16.0±4.9g, were dispersed into each 1m³ cage and the feed ration was adjusted every 21 days with biometry. Data was collected from March to July (autumn and winter). Significant difference to final weight (P<0.05) among treatments was observed. The increase in feeding frequency improves the productive performance of Nile tilapias in cages and permitted better management of the food. The better feed conversion rate for high feeding frequency (24 times day-1) can result in saving up to 360kg of food for each ton of fish produced, increasing the economic sustenance for tilapia culture and suggesting less environmental pollution.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 3887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karla Andrade Teixeira ◽  
Alessandra Gimenez Mascarenhas ◽  
Heloisa Helena de Carvalho Mello ◽  
Emmanuel Arnhold ◽  
Patrícia Da Silva Assunção ◽  
...  

Ninety barrow piglets weaned at 21 days old were used to evaluate the effects of guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) supplementation on their performance and blood creatinine and creatine kinase (CK) levels during the nursery phase (21 to 63 days old). The piglets were distributed in a randomized block design with five treatments (0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20% GAA inclusion), six repetitions, and three animals per repetition. The experimental rations were formulated to meet the nutritional requirements for the phases of 21 to 32, 33 to 42 and 43 to 63 days of age. The experimental diets and water were offered ad libitum throughout the experimental period. At 42 and 63 days old, blood was collected from one animal in each experimental unit for creatinine and creatine kinase analysis. The analysed variables were daily weight gain (DFG), daily feed intake (DFI), and feed conversion (FC) in the 21 to 42 days old and 21 to 63 days old of the nursery phase. All variables were subjected to analysis of variance and regression analysis. We adopted ? = 0.05, and considered a trend to be present when ? was between 0.05 and 0.10. In the pre-initial period (21 to 42 days old), there was an increasing trend in daily weight (P = 0.069), which increased to the level of 0.97% of GAA inclusion. The DFI and FC were not significantly affected by the addition of different GAA levels in the diet. Creatinine levels in the blood at 42 and 63 days old were not significantly influenced by the treatments. The level of CK at 42 days old showed an increasing trend (P = 0.077) that occurred quadratically to the level of 0.085% of GAA inclusion, with no significant difference for this variable at 63 days old. The use of GAA did not promote improvements in performance or blood creatinine and CK levels in piglets in the nursery phase.


2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 1107-1112
Author(s):  
Cinthia Maria Carlos Pereira ◽  
Juarez Lopes Donzele ◽  
Rita Flávia Miranda de Oliveira Donzele ◽  
Charles Kiefer ◽  
Verônica Maria Pereira Bernardino ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT: To evaluate inclusion levels and residual effects of diets containing yeast extract (YE) plus blood plasma (BP) on the performance of 36 to 60-days old piglets, 105 piglets were used (8.75±0.72kg), and they were distributed under a randomized block experimental design with five treatments (control - 2.0% BP; 1.0% BP plus 0.0, 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0% YE), seven repetitions, and three animals per experimental unit. Piglets were given experimental diets from 36 to 49 days of age. From 50 to 60 day of age, all piglets received the same diet. No effects from treatments (P>0.10) were observed on the performance variables from 36 to 49 day of age. From 50 to 60 day of age, an effect was observed from YE levels on the daily feed consumption (P<0.03), daily weight gain (p<0.01), and final weight (P<0.06), which increased quadratically up to 1.67, 1.67, and 1.55% YE levels, respectively. Piglets which were fed with the diet containing 1.0% BP + 2.0% YE were observed to have better feed conversion ratios (P<0.01) as compared to the control diet (2.0% BP). As it provides a better residual effect, the inclusion of 1.67% yeast extract may replace 50% of blood plasma in 36 to 49-days old piglet diets.


1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Helena Tagliaro ◽  
Maria Helena Lartigau Pereira Franco ◽  
Werner Meincke ◽  
Gilberto Silva

Fourteen protein systems coded by 15 structural loci were typed by horizontal electrophoresis to determine possible associations betweem the protein phenotypes and productive traits in Landrace (N=109), Largo White (N= 116) and Duroe (N=57) pigs, reared in Southern Brazil. Signiticant associations between protein phenotypes and production traits were detected. The most consistent interaction were observed between two protein systems (phosphogluconate dehydrogenase - Pgd and Hemopexin -Hpx) and at least one of the four performance variables considered. In Duroc breed, the Pgd phenotypes were associated with daily weight gain (P < 0.01), feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01) and selection index (P < 0.001), while in Landrace significant associations were observed only with feed convertion ratio (P < 0.05). The Hpx phenotypes were associated with daily weight gain (P < 0.05) and backfat thickness (P < 0.05) in Large White and with this last variable (P < 0.01) and selection index (P < 0.05) in Duroc pigs. Since these results had not been reported previously, turther studies are need to confirm these associations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 303-313
Author(s):  
Yueh-Jung Li ◽  
Kuang-Wen Hsieh ◽  
Suming Chen ◽  
Perng-Kwei Lei

Abstract. The purpose of this study was to apply wireless sensor modules to measure the environmental conditions in a windowless broiler house. An environmental index monitoring system was established that automatically estimated the temperature-humidity index (THI) and temperature-humidity-velocity index (THVI) according to the collected database. Finally, prediction of the relationships between the THI or THVI and the feed conversion rate (FCR) was studied. Nine sets of temperature, relative humidity, and wind velocity sensors were used for measuring the inside environment. An additional set was located outside the broiler house. The environmental database used this system of wireless sensors for collecting environmental information, quantifying the environmental indices, and establishing a warning system. The system automatically estimated the THI and THVI according to the database and presented the results in a user interface. Two areas of the broiler house were arranged for daily measurement of feed consumption and individual weight of the broilers for two experiments. These data were applied to calculate the daily weight gain and FCR. The first experiment was conducted from 9 September to 9 October (from summer to autumn) in 2016, and the second experiment was conducted from 3 November to 9 December (from autumn to winter) in 2016. During the experiments, there were no errors in the messages sent by the environmental database and warning system. These results serve as important references for predicting the FCR as well as the THI and THVI. The THVI of the first experiment and the THI of the second experiment predicted the FCR with a good relationship. The results show that the indoor and outdoor THI values could be higher than the standard values. In the FCR statistical analysis, the FCR of the second experiment was lower than the FCR of the first experiment, and they were both lower than the criterion FCR. This implies that opportunities exist for improving the broiler house environment in this subtropical climate. The results of this study could become an important reference for predicting the FCR with the THI and THVI. Finally, prediction of the relationships between the THI or THVI and the FCR were conducted. The results of the second experiment (R2 = 0.8327) were significantly better than the results of the first experiment (R2 = 0.5184). Keywords: Broiler, Feed conversion rate, Temperature-humidity index, Temperature-humidity-velocity index, Warning system, Wireless sensor module.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Januar Akmal Swanda ◽  
Didy Rachmadi ◽  
Asril Asril

Abstrak. Penggunaan konsentrat komersial (683) untuk memacu pertambahan berat badan kambing kacang yang diberi pakan dasar hijauan campuran telah dilakukan di Laboratorium Ilmu dan Teknologi Ternak Potong Program Studi Peternakan Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Syiah Kuala Banda Aceh. pada bulan Agustus sampai dengan Oktober 2017. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pertambahan berat badan harian pada kambing kacang jantan yang diberikan kosentrat komersial (683) dan hijauan campuran. Rancangan yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah Rancangan Bujur Sangkar Latin (RBSL) yaitu dengan menggunakan empat perlakuan dan empat periode (ulangan). Masing-masing perlakuan adalah pelakuan A (0% pellet 683) perlakuan B (20% pellet 683), perlakuan C (40% pellet 683), dan pelakuan D (60% pellet 683). Data penelitian yang diperoleh dianalisis menggunakan ANOVA (Analysis of Variance). Parameter yang diamati adalah : Pertambahan berat badan, Konsumsi pakan, Konversi pakan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan perbedaan yang sangat nyata (P0.01) terhadap konsumsi ransum. Namun terjadi perbedaan yang tidak nyata (P0,05) pada parameter pertambahan berat badan dan efesiensi ransum. Use of Commercial Concentrates (683) to Stimulate Weight Loss of Goat kacang Provided with Basic Mixed Forage FeedAbstract. The use of commercial concentrate 683 to accelerate the growth of kacang goat fed with mixed forage has been conducted at the Laboratory of Technology and Livestock Production, the Faculty of Agriculture, Syiah Kuala University of Banda Aceh. from August to October 2017. The objective of this study was to determine the daily weight gain in kacang goat given commercial concentrate (683) and mixed green. The design used in this study was Latin Square Design (RBSL) wash four treatments and four periods (replication). The treatment ware A (0% pellet 683) B (20% pellet 683), C (40% pellet 683), and D (60% pellet 683). The data obtained were analyzed using ANOVA (Analysis of Variance). Parameters observed were: Weight gain, Feed consumption, Feed conversion. The results showed a significant difference on (P 0.01) to the consumption of rations. However, the difference was not significant (P 0.05) on the parameter of weight gain and ration efficiency. 


Author(s):  
Gowher Gull Sheikh ◽  
R.P.S. Baghel ◽  
Sunil Nayak ◽  
Aijaz Ahmad Ganie

A study was carried on 24 piglets (Large White York Shire × Desi) of an average initial weight of 20 kg of three gender groups, barrows, boars and gilts consisted of eight pigs each, of comparable body weight fattened from 20-48 kilograms (growing) to 49-96 kilograms (finishing) to see the effect of gender on growth performance, nutrient utilization and carcass traits. When comparing feed intake at the growing stage, gilts consumed significantly more (P less than 0.05) feed than boars and barrows. There was no significant difference in average daily weight gain among barrows, boars and gilts in growing and finishing stage. Gilts had significantly higher (P less than 0.05) feed conversion ratio than boars in growing period and barrows in finishing period. Nutrient digestibility was similar except crude protein among groups. Fasting weight and weight after bleeding was significantly lower (P less than 0.05) in gilts with nonsignificant difference between barrows and boars. Sex has no significant effect on evisceration weight, dressing percentage and carcass length in pigs. Carcass backfat of barrows was significantly thicker (P less than 0.05) than that of boars and gilts, however, the loin eye area was significantly larger (P less than 0.05) in gilts than boars and barrows. There were no significant differences among groups concerning the proportions of ham, under cut, bacon and rib chop however, shoulder and loin percentages were higher (P less than 0.05) in gilts than boars and barrows.


2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-16
Author(s):  
Suraj Babu Ghimire ◽  
Rahul Ranjan

 This study was done to explore the effect of replacing mustard oilcake by linseed oilcake in feed on the growth performance of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Mustard oilcake (MOC) was replaced by linseed oil cake (LOC) at three different level 0%, 50% and 100% to prepare three different types of diets. Diets were prepared with about 18% analyzed crude protein content. Fingerlings were kept in three happa with three replications for each diet in completely randomized design (CRD). Fish of average weight 5.31 g were stocked in happa having size 1.5m×1.5m×1.2m. The experimental fish were fed 3% of their body weight per day, once in the morning for five months continuously. No significant difference (p>0.05) in final mean weight, final total weight, average daily weight gain (DWG), survival rate, extrapolated gross fish yield (GFY), extrapolated net fish yield (NFY) and apparent feed conversion ratio (AFCR) among different treatments were observed. Hence, linseed oilcake can be used as the substitute in the feed of tilapia, if it is locally available.  Journal of Institute of Science and Technology, 2017, 22 (1): 10-16 


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