J. Anim Sci.
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Hohenshell, L. M.
Right arrow Articles by Lay, D. C.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Hohenshell, L. M.
Right arrow Articles by Lay, D. C., Jr

Journal of Animal Science, Vol 78, Issue 1 38-49, Copyright © 2000 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Few differences found between early- and late-weaned pigs raised in the same environment

L. M. Hohenshell, J. E. Cunnick, S. P. Ford, H. G. Kattesh, D. R. Zimmerman, M. E. Wilson, R. L. Matteri, J. A. Carroll and D. C. Lay Jr
Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames 50011, USA.

Segregation and medicated early weaning are technologies used to optimize the productivity and health of pigs, but these practices may also cause aberrant behaviors indicative of stress. Thus, differences in early- (=10 d of age) and late- (=30 d of age) weaned pigs were investigated. At weaning, pigs were housed in groups of four in 16 pens (eight pens per treatment) in the same facility, and, thus, they were not segregated. Body weights were recorded at birth, weaning, and at approximately 42, 65, 102, 137, and 165 d of age (at slaughter). One-minute, instantaneous scan samples during a 10-min period (at 0600, 1000, 1400, and 1800) were used to record the frequency of lying, standing, and sitting, total number of drinks, feeder investigations, and time spent playing/fighting on 2, 3, and 4 d after weaning. Five-minute, direct observations of each pig were conducted at approximately 40, 60, 80, and 150 d of age. Direct observations were also made of the entire pen for 10 min at approximately 50, 95, 123, and 160 d of age to record aberrant behaviors. At 62 d of age, a handling and blood collection stress was imposed. At 165 d of age, a second stress test was conducted in response to rough handling and transport. Early-weaned pigs spent more time playing/ fighting (P < .006) than late-weaned pigs during the 4 d after weaning, manipulated conspecifics more often at 40 d of age (P < .002), had greater percentage of hemoglobin (P < .03) during Stress Test 1, had greater ADG at 42 d of age (P < .03), and had greater hypothalamic growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor mRNA at slaughter (P < .06). Late-weaned pigs had greater ADG between 137 and 165 d of age (P < .03) and greater pro-opiomelanocortin at slaughter (P < .04). Overall, most differences found between early-weaned and late-weaned pigs were evident soon after weaning, but they disappeared before slaughter.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J ANIM SCIHome page
M. E. Davis, S. C. Sears, J. K. Apple, C. V. Maxwell, and Z. B. Johnson
Effect of weaning age and commingling after the nursery phase of pigs in a wean-to-finish facility on growth, and humoral and behavioral indicators of well-being
J Anim Sci, March 1, 2006; 84(3): 743 - 756.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J ANIM SCIHome page
R. G. Main, S. S. Dritz, M. D. Tokach, R. D. Goodband, and J. L. Nelssen
Increasing weaning age improves pig performance in a multisite production system
J Anim Sci, May 1, 2004; 82(5): 1499 - 1507.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 2000 by the American Society of Animal Science.