The objective of this study was to determine the effects of finisher pig facility design on pig stress responses at the time of loading for the market weight pig. The new (NEW) design had 192 pigs / pen with internal swing gates that were used to manually pre-sort market weight pigs on the day before loading. Traditional (TRAD) design had 32 pigs / pen; it was not feasible to pre-sort market weight pigs prior to loading. During loading, treatments were alternatively assigned to trailer decks. Pigs were loaded onto straight deck trailers, provided with ~0.41 m 2 / pig and were transported ~1 h to a commercial plant. During loading and unloading, the number of pigs displaying open mouth breathing, skin discoloration and muscle tremors were recorded. At the plant, dead and non-ambulatory pigs were recorded during unloading, and non-ambulatory pigs were classified as fatigued (stress-related) or injured. Total losses were defined as the sum of dead + non-ambulatory pigs at the plant. Data were analyzed by Proc Glimmix of SAS. NEW pigs had lower (P < 0.05) percentages of open mouth breathing, skin discoloration and muscle tremors during loading and unloading compared to TRAD pigs. NEW pigs had fewer (P < 0.05) dead pigs (0.01 vs. 0.23 ± 0.05 %), total non-ambulatory pigs (0.29 vs. 0.66 ± 0.12 %) and total losses (0.30 vs. 0.89 ± 0.14 %) at the plant compared to TRAD pigs. In summary, utilizing large pens and pre-sorting prior to loading, reduced physical signs of stress during loading and unloading, and reduced total losses at the plant by 0.59 % compared to pigs from traditional pens.

based on the original design by Dr. Robert DunlopThe University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, or sexual orientation. Drinker to nursery pigs ratio: Effects on drinking behavior and performance

Summary and ImplicationsThe effect of pig ratio to cup waterers was evaluated to determine changes on pig drinking behavior and performance. Ratios of 1:25 (treatment 1), 1:12 (treatment 2), and 1:8 (treatment 3) were studied. Treatment 3 drank more frequently than those provide with one or two cup waterers per pen. There was a trend for pigs provided 2 or 3 cup waterers in a pen to have increased average daily gains. While further research is needed to quantify and confirm these findings, a nursery providing a ratio closer to published guidelines may lead to increase performance. IntroductionInformation is available on the current drinker to nursery pigs' ratios (drinker: pigs). In the UK, producers are recommended a 1:15, while in the US it is 1:10 for nursery pigs. However, a ratio of 1:25 is more typical in US pork production systems. The importance of nursery system design, in regards to placement of key resources is relatively undocumented i.e. previous literature information with regards to the impact of drinkers is limited. Previous work has addressed swine feeder placement and design.Therefore, the objectives of this study were (1) to determine the total number of visits made to a water bowl drinker by pigs over a 6-h period and (2) to calculate average daily gain when pigs were offered either one two or three water bowl drinkers per pen.