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Feed Requirement of Growing Pigs at Low Environmental Temperatures

Agricultural University¹, Wageningen and and Research Institute of Animal Husbandry², Zeist, The Netherlands

Abstract

Three trials were conducted to determine the amount of feed required to compensate for the reduced rate of gain at temperatures below thermoneutrality. The experiment was conducted with animals fed restricted amounts of feed at a constant number of degrees (C) below thermoneutrality (constant coldness rather than constant temperatures). Estimates were made separately in the first and the second halves of the fattening period. During the growth period from 25 to 60 kg, the animals needed about 25 g/d of feed to compensate for each degree C coldness. During the fattening period from 60 to 100 kg, this requirement was 39 g/d. Feed contained 3 kcal of metabolizable energy/g and 13.4% digestible crude protein. If coldness is compensated for by extra feed, then a somewhat fatter carcass can be expected. The difference in backfat due to feed compensation for a 4 C difference in temperature is not more than 1 mm.

³ Dept. of Anim. Husbandry, Marijkeweg 40 6709 PG Waseningen.