J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1987. 65:1201-1206.
© 1987 American Society of Animal Science
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Effects of Weaning Weight, Co-Mingling, Group Size and Room Temperature on Pig Performance1,2,

J. C. McConnell3, J. C. Eargle4 and R. C. Waldorf4

Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0361

Abstract

Four experiments involving 3- to 4-wk-old, ad libitum-fed weanling pigs (n=809) were conducted to determine the effects of initial pig weight, co-mingling of litters, numbers of pigs/pen and room temperature on pig performance in a conventionally equipped nursery. Pigs that were largest at birth were largest (P<.01) at weaning (r=.66) and also at 28 d postweaning (r=.62). Light-weight pigs (3.8 kg) at weaning gained more slowly (P<.05) for 4 wk postweaning than heavy weight pigs (6.5 kg). Growth curves for the light and heavy groups of pigs remained parallel throughout the 4-wk nursery period, indicating that small pigs were not making compensatory gains. Growth rates of average-weight pigs (5.2 kg) were intermediate to and not different (P>.05) from light- and heavy-weight pigs. Penning 8, 16 or 24 pigs together while maintaining constant flooring area and feeder and waterer space/pig did not reduce (P>.05) intakes, gains or feed:gain ratios. Co-mingled litters grew comparably (P>.05) to pigs reared as littermates. In temperature studies, pigs were reared either in a room maintained at 29 ± 2.8 C throughout the 28-d trials or at 29 ± 2.8 C the first week postweaning and 24 ± 2.8 C thereafter. Reducing the nursery temperature to 24 ± 2.8 C after 1 wk depressed (P<.05) intakes, gains and feed efficiencies as compared with the warmer temperature regimen.

Footnotes

1 Technical contribution no. 2542 of the South Carolina Agric. Exp. Sta., Clemson Univ.

2 The authors are grateful to L. W. Grimes and J. E. Toler for their statistical analyses of these data.

3 Dept. of Anim. Sci.

4 Former graduate students.






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Copyright © 1987 by the American Society of Animal Science.