The influence of the level of feeding of suckled pigs on subsequent performance during fattening

Abstract

SUMMARYFour litters each containing six female pigs were used to compare the influence of the level of feeding of suckled pigs on subsequent weight gain and efficiency of feed conversion, and on carcass quality and ham composition.The high level pigs always remained on their dam until weaning at 56 days of age and had free access to a starter ration from the beginning of the 4th week of age. From 7 days of age until weaning the low plane pigs were removed from their dam for 12 hours per day and had no access to starter ration during this time. After weaning the pigs were fed ad libitum on dry feed.It was found that live-weight gain and feed conversion efficiency during fattening were increased by lowering the feed intake of pigs in the first weeks of life. There were no statistically significant differences between the different butcher's joints of the two groups. Although the differences were statistically non-significant, the ham of the low level pigs had a higher protein content (P = 0·06), a higher water content (P = 0·10), a lower fat content (P = 0·07) and a lower energy content (P = 0·12).

Compensatory Responses to Short-Term Feed Restriction during the Growing Period in Swine

“…Nielsen (1964) and Owen et al (1971) suggested that increased gains following restriction were due to parallel increases in daily feed intake, but daily consumption did not differ among treatments during the postrestriction period in our experiments and was lower for restricted pigs for the total test period. Vanschoubroek et al (1965) and Zimmerman and Khajaren (1973) suggest that compensatory responses in performance are not due to increased intake, but reflect a change in metabolism. This hypothesis is supported by our results, which show that, although rate of gain and feed intake are similar, previously restricted pigs are significantly more efficient than nonrestricted pigs.…”

“…56, No. 4, 1983 1964; Vanschoubroek et al, 1965). Robinson (1964) and Owen et al (1971) restricted feed intake at various stages during the growing period and found that, when increased or ad libitum consumption was allowed following restriction, gain and(or) efficiency of gain were increased by previous restriction, but not enough to compensate for reduced performance during the restriction period.…”

Body composition and feed intake of young pigs postweaning

“…Mean liveweights at 40 days of age were 9.8, 8.0, 12.2 and 6.8 kg (s.e.d. 1.05) for groups I, 11, 111 and IV respectively; at 55 days group means were 18.0, 10.5, 18.4 and 7.7 (s.e.d. 1.80) and at 70 days, 27.8, 19.5, 28.7 and 7.7 kg (s.e.d.…”

“…Mean liveweights at 40 days of age were 9.8, 8.0, 12.2 and 6.8 kg (s.e.d. 1.05) for groups I, 11 Table 3. The initial slaughter group of four pigs at 25 days comprised 0.74 water, 0.065 lipid, 0.15 protein and 0.035 ash in the empty body.…”

Effect of starter nutrition on compensatory growth and development of swine

“…Compensatory growth has been consistently shown in pigs fed ^ libitum after a period of feed restriction to about 25 kg body weight (Lucas, Calder and Smith, 1959;Frape et al, 1959;Boaz and Elsley, 1962;Elsley, 1963;Nielson, 1964;Duckworth, 1965;Vanschoubrock, DeWilde and Van Spaendonck, 1965;Reid e^ ^l., 1968;Rousselow, 1973;Zimmerman and Khajarem, 1973) . Similar findings have been reported by Sobinson (1964) and Owen, Ridgman and Wyllie (1971) when larger pigs were restricted-fed.…”