Effects of different diet alternatives to replace the use of pharmacological levels of zinc on growth performance and fecal dry matter of weanling pigs

A total of 300 weanling pigs (Line 400 × 200, DNA, Columbus, NE, initially 4.83 kg) were used in a 46-d trial to evaluate the effects of different nutritional strategies to replace pharmacological levels of Zn, provided by zinc oxide (ZnO), in nursery diets on growth performance and fecal dry matter (DM). Six treatments with 10 replicate pens per treatment and 5 pigs per pen were used. Diets consisted of: (1) positive control (ZnO providing 3,000 mg/kg added Zn from d 0 to 7 and 2,000 mg/kg added Zn from d 8 to 25 and 21% crude protein, CP); (2) negative control (NC; no added ZnO); (3) NC plus 1.2% Na diformate; (4) NC with 4% coarse ground wheat bran; (5) NC but formulated to 18% CP; and (6) the combination of NC with 18% CP, 1.2% Na diformate, and 4% coarse ground wheat bran. The diets formulated to 18% CP contained 1.2% standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys from d 0 to 25, whereas the 21% CP diets contained 1.4% SID Lys from d 0 to 7 and 1.35% SID Lys from d 7 to 25. From d 25 to 46, all pigs were fed a common diet. From d 0 to 7, no differences in any variables were observed between treatments. From d 7 to 25, pigs fed the diet with added ZnO had greater (P < 0.01) average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) than all other treatments. Pigs fed the diet formulated to 18% CP had decreased (P < 0.01) ADG when compared with pigs fed the other diets. From d 25 to 46, no previous treatment effects on ADG or gain to feed ratio (G:F) were observed. Overall (d 0 to 46), pigs fed the diet with added ZnO from d 0 to 25 had greater (P < 0.01) ADG, ADFI, and final body weight than pigs fed added Na Diformate, or 4% coarse ground wheat bran, or with the 18% CP diet, or with pigs fed the combination of the additives intermediate. There was no evidence for differences in overall G:F. Pigs fed the NC diet had the lowest fecal DM and highest fecal scores (P < 0.05), indicating the greatest incidence of loose stools. Pigs fed added ZnO had greater fecal DM than pigs fed the NC, 4% added wheat bran, or 18% CP diets, or with pigs fed the combination of additives intermediate (P < 0.01). These results suggest that adding pharmacological levels of Zn from ZnO improves nursery pig performance and increases DM content of feces when compared with pigs fed diets with either Na diformate, 4% course wheat bran, or 18% CP alone. However, a combination of all three alternatives appeared to be additive and partially restored growth performance similar to adding pharmacological levels of Zn

Proposal of Equations for Predicting Post-Farrowing Sow Weight

Background: Body condition score is used widely in swine production to ensure adequate nutritional levels in sows during gestation and lactation. However, body condition score is not a gold standard for the estimation of nutritional requirements in sows. Post-farrowing sow body weight assessment might serve as a useful approach for the better adjustment of the nutritional requirements during lactation; however, this approach is time-consuming, requires labor, and might result in detrimental effects on the sow behavior and welfare. The objective of the present study, therefore, was to formulate prediction equations for the estimation of post-farrowing sow weight.Materials, Methods &amp; Results: Seven equations were formulated for predicting the post-farrowing sow body weight, by using the data from three databases, which comprised a total 522 sows (434 gilts and 88 multiparous). The sows were weighed on Day 112 of gestation and after farrowing within 12 h. The piglets birth weight was recorded within 24 h after farrowing. The equations were formulated considering all the parity orders. While formulating the equations, the following five variables were used: pre-farrowing body weight, piglets born, litter weight, the interval between pre-farrowing weighing and farrowing (in days), and the total feed intake between pre-farrowing and post-farrowing weighing. The seven models were compared using the sets of possible predictors through regression with the best subsets procedure (Minitab for Windows, v. 18). Equations (EQ) 1, 2, and 4 were validated with a database comprising 732 sows (parity orders: 1–5). The females were weighed on Day 107 of gestation and within 24 h after farrowing. The predicted weights estimated by EQ 2 and 4 (215.4 ± 34.3 kg and 216.7 ± 34.4 kg, respectively) did not significantly differ from the observed weight (216.8 ± 34.6 kg) [P &gt; 0.05].Discussion: Pre-farrowing sow body weight was identified as the main input variable required for the estimation of the post-farrowing sow body weight. Thus, even EQ 1, which contained only this variable, exhibited a high coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.8707). However, the R2 value kept increasing as more input variables were included in the equation. Equation 2, 4, and 6 included the litter weight variable, and the addition of this variable increased the numerical value of R2 from 0.8707 in EQ 1 to 0.8975 in EQ 2. The EQ 3, 5, and 7 considered the piglets born variable as well, which increased the R2 value from 0.8707 in EQ 1 to 0.9119 in EQ 3. The coefficient of determination did not vary much among the equations; therefore, the selection of the prediction equations depended on data availability, feed management, facility, and the reliability of data collection in each farm. Although EQ 1 demonstrated a greater correlation between the predicted and the observed post-farrowing weight compared to the other equations, the values of error in central tendency and the errors due to disturbances were numerically higher for EQ 1 in comparison to the other two equations (EQ 2 and 4). Therefore, it is suggested that EQ 1 should be used as the last choice for the estimation of post-farrowing sow weight as it presented low trueness and precision, and also because the predicted weight estimated by EQ 1 was statistically lower than the observed weight (211.67 ± 33.33 kg vs. 216.84 ± 34.62 kg; P = 0.012). EQ 4 emonstrated higher trueness and precision; however, it did not differ significantly from EQ 2 and 1. Further analyses are required in order to validate EQ 3, 5, 6, and 7. Among the equations that were predicted as well as validated, the simplest and the easiest equation with satisfactory results for trueness and precision was EQ 2, which is as follows:Post-farrowing sow weight (kg) = 13.03 + (0.93 × pre-farrowing body weight, kg) + (–1.23 × piglets born, n

Impact of sorting pigs by body weight at allotment on final weight variation and performance of pigs in nursery phase

O manejo de classificação por peso ao alojamento na fase de creche é amplamente praticado e supostamente melhora o desempenho zootécnico e gera, ao fim da fase, um grupo de leitões com peso mais uniforme O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se classificar os leitões desmamados por peso ao alojamento da creche, interfere no desempenho zootécnico e variação de peso final, bem como se este manejo altera o início de consumo de ração nas primeiras horas pós-desmame. Um total de 504 leitões machos inteiros e fêmeas (23.9 ± 0,6 dias e 7.0 ± 1,22 kg de peso corporal) foram ordenados por peso e cada 1/3 designado como Pequenos, Médios e Grandes. A partir disto, os leitões foram aleatoriamente distribuídos em baias mistas (mistas; 7 baias) compostas pelas três categorias e baias classificadas (classificadas; 21 baias) contendo apenas uma categoria de peso por baia. Nos três primeiros dias após alojamento, os leitões tiveram acesso a uma ração contendo um corante marcador vermelho (óxido de ferro a 1%) com o intuito de indicar quando um determinado animal iniciou o consumo através do uso de swabs retais as 30, 42, 54, 66 e 78 horas após o desmame. Semanalmente, o peso corporal e o consumo de ração era registrado. As pesagens do 7º, 21º e 42º dia pós-alojamento foram individuais visando aferir o CV das baias nestes momentos. Para o período total avaliado (0 a 42 d), não foram evidenciadas diferenças em GPD (P=0,94), CRMD (P=0,60) CA (P=0,39) entre baias mistas e classificadas. Ainda, não houve evidências de diferenças no peso final (P>0,05) entre mesmas categorias nos diferentes tratamentos, nem entre as baias classificadas e mistas (P=0,88). O CV médio do peso de cada foi diferente (P0,05). Em conclusão, a variação de peso ao final da fase de creche foi levemente maior para baias mistas. Classificar ao alojamento pode gerar um atraso no início de consumo pós-desmame para leitões grandes além de não melhorar o desempenho zootécnico.The sorting pigs by weight management in the nursery phase is a widely practiced and supposedly improve growth performance and produces more uniform pigs at the end of the nursery. The aim of this study was to evaluate if sorting weaned pigs by weight at nursery allotment alters growth performance and variation likewise if this management interferes the beginning of feed intake at the post weaning first’s hours. A total of 504 females and intact males (23.9 ± 0.6 of age and 7.0 ± 1.22 kg body weight) were categorized as: light, medium and heavy. From this, pigs were randomized distributed to unsorted pens (unsorted; 7 pens) with all three categories and sorted pens just with one weight category (sorted; 7 pens for each category for a total of 21 pens). In the first three days after allotment, pigs had access to a diet containing a red dye marker (1% iron oxide) aiming to indicate if such pig had already eaten through the use of rectal swabs at 30, 42, 54, 66 e 78 hours post weaning. Body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly. Pigs were weighted individually at 7, 21, and 42 days after weaning to obtain the within-pen weight variation. Overall (0 to 42 d), there was no evidence for differences (P=0.94) in ADG, ADFI (P=0.60), or F/G (P=0.39) between sorted and unsorted pigs. Additionally, there was no evidence for differences in final body weight among the same category in different treatments (P>0.05) nor between sorted and unsorted pens (P=0.88). The average of the within-pen weight variation was statistically different (P0.05) In conclusion, within-pen weight variation at the end of the nursery was slightly worsened when pigs were unsorted at placement. Sorting pigs at placement can create a lag of post weaning feed intake onset for heavy-weight pigs. Thus, sorting pigs by weight at placement did not improve nursery performance

Impact of sorting pigs by body weight at allotment on final weight variation and performance of pigs in nursery phase

O manejo de classificação por peso ao alojamento na fase de creche é amplamente praticado e supostamente melhora o desempenho zootécnico e gera, ao fim da fase, um grupo de leitões com peso mais uniforme O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se classificar os leitões desmamados por peso ao alojamento da creche, interfere no desempenho zootécnico e variação de peso final, bem como se este manejo altera o início de consumo de ração nas primeiras horas pós-desmame. Um total de 504 leitões machos inteiros e fêmeas (23.9 ± 0,6 dias e 7.0 ± 1,22 kg de peso corporal) foram ordenados por peso e cada 1/3 designado como Pequenos, Médios e Grandes. A partir disto, os leitões foram aleatoriamente distribuídos em baias mistas (mistas; 7 baias) compostas pelas três categorias e baias classificadas (classificadas; 21 baias) contendo apenas uma categoria de peso por baia. Nos três primeiros dias após alojamento, os leitões tiveram acesso a uma ração contendo um corante marcador vermelho (óxido de ferro a 1%) com o intuito de indicar quando um determinado animal iniciou o consumo através do uso de swabs retais as 30, 42, 54, 66 e 78 horas após o desmame. Semanalmente, o peso corporal e o consumo de ração era registrado. As pesagens do 7º, 21º e 42º dia pós-alojamento foram individuais visando aferir o CV das baias nestes momentos. Para o período total avaliado (0 a 42 d), não foram evidenciadas diferenças em GPD (P=0,94), CRMD (P=0,60) CA (P=0,39) entre baias mistas e classificadas. Ainda, não houve evidências de diferenças no peso final (P>0,05) entre mesmas categorias nos diferentes tratamentos, nem entre as baias classificadas e mistas (P=0,88). O CV médio do peso de cada foi diferente (P0,05). Em conclusão, a variação de peso ao final da fase de creche foi levemente maior para baias mistas. Classificar ao alojamento pode gerar um atraso no início de consumo pós-desmame para leitões grandes além de não melhorar o desempenho zootécnico.The sorting pigs by weight management in the nursery phase is a widely practiced and supposedly improve growth performance and produces more uniform pigs at the end of the nursery. The aim of this study was to evaluate if sorting weaned pigs by weight at nursery allotment alters growth performance and variation likewise if this management interferes the beginning of feed intake at the post weaning first’s hours. A total of 504 females and intact males (23.9 ± 0.6 of age and 7.0 ± 1.22 kg body weight) were categorized as: light, medium and heavy. From this, pigs were randomized distributed to unsorted pens (unsorted; 7 pens) with all three categories and sorted pens just with one weight category (sorted; 7 pens for each category for a total of 21 pens). In the first three days after allotment, pigs had access to a diet containing a red dye marker (1% iron oxide) aiming to indicate if such pig had already eaten through the use of rectal swabs at 30, 42, 54, 66 e 78 hours post weaning. Body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly. Pigs were weighted individually at 7, 21, and 42 days after weaning to obtain the within-pen weight variation. Overall (0 to 42 d), there was no evidence for differences (P=0.94) in ADG, ADFI (P=0.60), or F/G (P=0.39) between sorted and unsorted pigs. Additionally, there was no evidence for differences in final body weight among the same category in different treatments (P>0.05) nor between sorted and unsorted pens (P=0.88). The average of the within-pen weight variation was statistically different (P0.05) In conclusion, within-pen weight variation at the end of the nursery was slightly worsened when pigs were unsorted at placement. Sorting pigs at placement can create a lag of post weaning feed intake onset for heavy-weight pigs. Thus, sorting pigs by weight at placement did not improve nursery performance

Influência da contaminação bacteriana na dose inseminante suína com a morfologia acrossomal e motilidade espermática

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Influência da contaminação bacteriana na dose inseminante suína com a morfologia acrossomal e motilidade espermática

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FATORES DE RISCO PARA A CONTAMINAÇÃO BACTERIANA DE SÊMEN SUÍNO DURANTE A COLETA

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