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Evaluation of Rearing Systems and Feed Flavors for Pigs Weaned at Two to Three Weeks of Age

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University^,3, Blacksburg 24061

Abstract

Eleven trials involving 726 crossbred pigs were conducted to evaluate two housing systems, conventional nursery with pens (CNP) and triple deck cage system (TDC), for pigs weaned from 15 to 22 days of age. Additionally, several feed flavors were evaluated in seven of the trials. The performance of three vs six pigs per cage was compared in TDC, and the use of supplemental heat and a comparison of small vs large capacity feeders was made in CNP. A 22% crude protein corn-soybean starter diet containing 10% dehydrated whey was fed until pigs weighed about 7 kg after which a similar 20% protein diet was fed.

During the first week pigs housed in TDC consumed more feed and grew faster than pigs housed in CNP with no significant difference in feed conversion. Over the entire test period there were no significant differences in feed consumption and daily gain between pigs housed in TDC and CNP. Feed per unit of gain was less for CNP pigs which may have been a result of some feed wastage in TDC pigs.

Feed consumption and daily gain were less during the first week for the pigs weaned from 15 to 17 days of age as compared to pigs weaned from 19 to 22 days of age with the poorest performance for the earlier weaned pigs housed in CNP. However, when pigs weaned at the different ages were compared at an equal chronological age, there was no difference in the body weight at 7 weeks of age.

Supplemental heat (250 watt heat lamp) did not improve the performance of pigs housed in CNP when the entire nursery was heated. Performance was the same for three and six pigs per cage (equal floor area per pig) in TDC. There was no difference in performance between pigs in CNP equipped with either one large two-hole 90 kg capacity feeder or two small three-hole 7 kg capacity feeders. The addition of various feed flavors to the basal diet did not improve daily feed intake, conversion or daily gain for pigs weaned at the various ages and housed in CNP or TDC.

¹ Department of Animal Science.

² Present address: Extension Agent, 119 East Main St., Bedford, VA 24523.

³ Appreciation is expressed to John Blaha, Fred Barlow and Bankole Ogunbameru for caring for the pigs, to S. L. Crews for statistical analysis, to Cindy Atkins for typing the manuscript, to Flavor Corp. of America, Northbrook, IL, and to Virginia Pork Industry Commission for financial support.