Creep feeding improves growth performance of suckling piglets

Abstract

The present study evaluated the optimal duration of creep feeding that improves the growth performance and fecal score of piglets and the performance and estrus interval of sows. Sixteen sows (Yorkshire × Landrace) and their litters were used in this 24-day trial. Dietary treatments were: Treatment 1, in which creep feed was not provided; treatment 2, in which creep feed was provided at the 7th day of life (day 7 to weaning); treatment 3, in which creep feed was provided at the 14th day of life (day 14 to weaning); and treatment 4, in which creep feed was provided at the 21st day of life (day 21 to weaning). There was no difference in body weight or loss, backfat thickness or loss, or estrus interval among treatments in the sows. Piglets in treatment 2 had higher body weight (BW) than pigs of treatments 1, 3, and 4. In addition, piglets in treatment 3 had higher BW than those of treatments 1 and 4. From birth to weaning, piglets of treatments 2 and 3 had higher average daily gain than those of treatments 1 and 4. There was no difference in fecal score of piglets among treatments. Piglets fed creep feed initiated from the first week have higher BW and average daily gain at weaning compared with those initiated from the second and third weeks, indicating that a longer duration of creep feeding improves the growth performance of piglets.

Influence of creep feeder position on the behavior and performance of preweaning piglets and sows in a hot climate environment

“…The greater body weight and average daily gain observed in the piglets of the FF confirm that piglets need extra sources of energy and nutrients particularly for heat stressed sows, similar results of piglet performance improvement were also observed by Lee & Kim (2018) and Heo et al (2018).…”

“…The utilization of creep feeding is a nutritional strategy that can help to minimize the impact of heat stress on the performance of the piglets, especially because it can fill the gap between the increased nutritional needs of suckling piglets and the nutrients provided by the lactating sow, and further adapt the piglet to the feed provided after weaning (Lee & Kim 2018).…”

Effects of Creep Feed Provision on Behavior and Performance of Piglets Around Weaning

“…Factors that likely contribute to these inconsistencies include weaning age (36,37), the duration of creep feed provision (26), the composition of the pre-and postweaning diet as well as their interaction (38), the percentage of eaters (2) and the intake of creep feed [high vs. low intake per piglet; (3)]. Except for post-weaning diet composition, the other factors may also explain the occurrence of both positive effects (16,20,39) as well as no effects [e.g. (14,18,19)] of creep feed provision on pre-weaning ADG and weaning weight.…”

Application of Creep Feed and Phytase Super-Dosing as Tools to Support Digestive Adaption and Feed Efficiency in Piglets at Weaning

“…Piglets with access to creep feed while suckling have heavier stomachs and greater HCl and pepsin production capacity than non-creep-fed pigs [21], suggesting diet-induced development of the gastrointestinal tract of piglets. This should enable piglets to adapt to weaning more readily and improve early post-weaning feed intake and weight gain; however, results have been shown to be inconsistent [22][23][24][25]. Although changes to stomach function have been less studied in comparison to the intestine at weaning, gastric efficiency is crucial for overall digestive success.…”