Newly weaned piglets show a strong preference towards centrally positioned circular feeder

Abstract

At weaning, piglets undergo an immediate transition from mother's milk to the feed mixture. Feed refusal and growth lag is, therefore, a frequent feeding disorder in newly weaned piglets. The present study aimed to determine whether newly weaned piglets adapt their feeding preferences towards feeders of different types/shapes and positions. A total of 120 piglets were included in the study. The analysis was carried out in low-and high-density groups, with 10 or 20 individuals per pen, respectively. Two different feeders were present in the weaning pen: a hopper (circular/central) and a trough (rectangular/sidewall). Piglet activity was video-recorded, and the number of piglets in each feeder was counted. The results showed nearly five times higher competition at the feeder in the high-density groups (p < .0001). In both high-and lowdensity groups, piglets showed a significant preference towards the hopper (4 and 24 times higher number of piglets at the hopper compared to the trough, respectively; p < .0001). The trough feeder was mainly chosen when the (preferred) hopper feeder was occupied by a higher number of piglets (p < .0001). There are several co-founding factors that explain the observed phenomenon: the distance from the resting area, the perception of the circular feeder as less competitive, and contra-freeloading. However, the results showed that the feeder type/position should be considered when planning the layout of a weaning pen. HIGHLIGHTS Weaners showed markedly higher competition at the feeder at high stocking density. Weaners preferred circular feeder (hopper) placed in the middle of a pen. Unlimited circular space, position (proximity to lying area), and contra-freeloading may explain hopper preference.

Eficiência Técnica Da Bandeja Economizadora De Ração Para Leitões Na Fase De Creche

“…Os tipos de comedouros utilizados na condução do estudo não foram os mesmos, entretanto este fator não apresenta influência sobre a performance zootécnica dos leitões (8). No entanto, como já comentado, ambos os comedouros foram dispostos no centro das baias, isso porque o local onde os comedouros são posicionados na baia interferem na preferência dos animais (7), impactando no consumo de ração.…”

“…Essa mudança é um fator estressante e pode refletir nos índices zootécnicos da leitegada. Frente a isso, a escolha do tipo de comedouro, ou até mesmo acessórios de comedouros, podem ser importantes nesta fase (6,7). Pois os animais apresentam rápido ganho de peso neste período e a alimentação em quantidades insuficientes podem gerar animais refugo, indesejados neste tipo de sistema.…”