A note on the effect of supplementation with microbial phytase and organic acids on feed intake and growth performance of growing pigs

peer-reviewedThis experiment was designed to investigate the effects of supplementation with phytase, either alone or in combination with organic acids, on feed intake and growth of pigs from 8 to 89 kg live weight. Some 240 pigs were used in four experimental treatments comprising: (1) control, (2) control plus phytase, (3) control plus phytase plus liquid organic acids (formic, propionic), and (4) control plus phytase plus powdered organic acids (formic, fumaric, propionic). Feed intake and growth rate in the weaner stage were increased (P < 0.05) by phytase supplementation, with some additional benefits from organic acid inclusion. Interval to slaughter was reduced (P < 0.05) by phytase supplementation

Quantitative assessment of the effects of space allowance, group size and floor characteristics on the lying behaviour of growing-finishing pigs

To obtain quantitative information that can be later used in animal welfare modelling, the relationship between the lying behaviour of growing-finishing pigs (initial body weight (BW) between 19 and 87 kg) and different factors related to the housing conditions, with a potential negative effect on their welfare, was studied by means of a meta-analytical approach. Data from 22 experiments reported in 21 scientific publications were collected. The space allowance, expressed on an allometric basis by means of a k-value (m2/BW0.667), the group size (n) and the floor characteristics (fully and partly slatted v. non-slatted floor), as well as their significant two-way interactions were used as fixed effects, and the experiment was used as a random factor to take into account the interexperiment effect. Further regression analyses were performed on the predicted values of observations in order to improve the adjustment of data. A significant quadratic relationship was established between space allowance (k-value, P <0.05; squared k-value, P <0.01) and the percentage of time spent lying. A significant interaction between the k-value and the floor type was also found (P <0.05), showing that the relationship between space allowance and lying behaviour is affected by the presence or absence of slats. Threshold k-values were obtained using broken-line analyses, being about 0.039 for slatted floors and almost double for non-slatted floors. Compared to other studies, these values suggest that the ability to rest as space availability decreases may be compromised before a reduced performance becomes apparent. Group size did not show a significant effect. Additional information should be added to the model, as further data become available, to adjust the proposed parameters as well as to try to include the effect of other important aspects such as that of ambient temperature

Environmental enrichment improves the performance and behavior of piglets in the nursery phase

In modern pig farming, the search for systems that promote environmental quality and welfare is an important issue. In this sense, the present study evaluated the effects of environmental enrichment on the performance and behavior of piglets. In a completely randomized block design, 32 piglets (7.43kg mean weight), weaned at 28 days of age, were distributed into four treatments (control without enrichment, environmental enrichment with wood shavings as bedding; environmental enrichment with hanging toys and environmental enrichment with wood shavings + hanging toys). Four repetitions were performed for each treatment, with two animals per experimental unit. The instant scan sampling technique was used to record the behavior of each piglet for 20h. Animals receiving environmental enrichment with wood shavings + hanging toys were heavier at 70 days (P=0.02), exhibited higher total and daily weight gain (P=0.04 and P=0.02, respectively) and better feed conversion (P=0.02). Environmental enrichment increased the interaction of animals with the environment, allowing them to exhibit natural behaviors

Evaluation of the sustainability of contrasted pig farming systems: the procedure, the evaluated systems and the evaluation tools

Although a few studies consider the sustainability of animal farming systems along the three classical main pillars (economy, environment and society), most studies on pig farming systems address only one of these pillars. The present paper is the introduction to a series of companion papers presenting the results of a study undertaken within the EU-supported project Q-PorkChains, aiming at building a comprehensive tool for the evaluation of pig farming systems, which is robust to accommodate the large variability of systems existing in Europe. The tool is mostly based on questions to farmers and comprises a total of 37 dimensions distributed along eight themes: Animal Welfare, Animal Health, Breeding Programmes, Environmental Sustainability, Meat Safety, Market Conformity, Economy and Working Conditions. The paper describes the procedure that was used for building the tool, using it on 15 contrasted pig farming systems and analysing the results. The evaluated systems are briefly described and a short overview of the dimensions is provided. Detailed descriptions of the theme-wise tools and results, as well as the results of an integrated evaluation, are available in the companion paper

Braude Scholarship 2000 The effect of voluntary food intake on the postweaning growth of the pig

Characteristically, voluntary food intake in the young pig in the days after weaning is low and very variable. Such low feed intakes can lead to reduced digestive efficiency and ultimately poorer physical performance. This is due to the digestive tract requiring a continuous supply of nutrients to maintain gut integrity and digestive capacity.The presence of this check in a young pigs growth immediately after weaning is a well documented problem of commercial significance. It is multi faceted and has been found to encompass many issues such as stocking density, mixing of litters, feeder type and space and the formulation and presentation of the feed.The Braude scholarship enabled me to travel across Europe to visit various research institutes and commercial companies in the Netherlands, Belgium and Poland including, ID-Lelystad, Institute for Animal Health, Netherlands, Rosmalen Institute for Pig Research, Netherlands and the experimental farms of the Provimi Group in Veldriel, Netherlands and Central Soya, Chelmno, Poland who were all engaged in trying to find solutions to the postweaning problem. The research they were involved in was as diverse as the problem itself appears to be.</jats:p

Alternatives to nose-ringing in outdoor sows: the provision of root crops

Nose rings have been proven to reduce the occurrence of paddock rooting behaviour, however, the practice has been questioned on ethical grounds. The aim of this experiment was to identify a suitable alternative. Previous attempts to reduce paddock damage by dietary means have succeeded in redirecting rooting behaviour (Bornett et al., 2002) or at reducing the overall frequency of paddock rooting behaviour (Braund et al., 1998) but neither succeeded in reducing paddock damage. It is hypothesised that whilst the experiment of Bornett et al. (2002) fulfilled the sow’s desire to forage, and the experiment of Braund et al. (1998) fulfilled the sow’s need to feel satiated; neither fulfilled both criteria simultaneously. In this experiment, both of these needs were considered and it was therefore hypothesised that paddock damage would be reduced.</jats:p

Haemolytic disease of the newborn

A report from the Natal rhesus uni

The effect of pellet size on the voluntary food intake and performance of young pigs

Immediately following weaning, voluntary food intake in the young pig is low and very variable. This can lead to reduced digestive efficiency and poor physical performance. One approach to try to stimulate intake is to manipulate the physical form of the diet. Previously it has been shown that, contrary to popular belief, young pigs are very adaptable with regards to diet presentation and in particular with respect to pellet size(Edge et al., 2000). Pigs from 10 to 56 days of age would consume a 5.0mm pellet as readily as a 1.8mm pellet with no adverse effects on production variables.</jats:p