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Prairie Swine Centre is an affiliate of the University of Saskatchewan
Prairie Swine Centre is grateful for the assistance of the George Morris Centre in developing the economics portion of Pork Insight.
Financial support for the Enterprise Model Project and Pork Insight has been provided by:
Effects of late introduction of sows to two farrowing environments on the progress of farrowing and maternal behavior
Posted in: Production by admin on January 1, 2008 | No Comments
This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the late introduction to farrowing pens on the progress of farrowing and maternal behaviour. It was concluded that when sows and gilts were intoduced late, neither progress of farrowing or maternal behavour for piglet crushing was influenced. However, crating of primiparous sows that were introduced late to the farrowing environment led to detrimental effects on the progress of farrowing and the percentage of stillborn piglets as compared to pigs housed in a pen.
The effect of heated mash on performance and feeding behavior of newly weaned piglets
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The influence of heated mash on
growth and feeding behavior of newly weaned piglets
was investigated. An automatically ventilated nursery
with 4 identical pens was used. Twenty piglets weaned
at 21 d were housed in each pen. The experiment was
repeated 3 times. In total, data were obtained from 240
piglets of 12 pens. The pens were provided with a sensor-
controlled, automatic feeding device, which dosed a
ready-mixed mash in a trough. In each of 2 of the pens,
the feed was mixed with warm water at 36°C, during
the first week of weaning. This heated mash had a temperature
of 34°C at the outlet of the automatic feeding
device (experimental group). In the 2 control groups,
the water was not heated and the temperature of the
mash was 14°C at the outlet of the automatic feeding
device. From the second week of weaning, the mash had
a temperature of 14°C at the outlet of the automatic
feeding device in all 4 pens. Piglets were weighed at
weaning, at weekly intervals through 49 d after weaning,
and on d 139 after weaning. Behavior of the whole
group, as well as behavior of selected focal animals, was
evaluated for the first 48 h after weaning. In addition,
skin condition of piglets was assessed on day of weaning
and on d 7, 14, and 21 after weaning. The amount of
feed consumed by the piglets was recorded on a daily
basis throughout the whole period of nursery. Over the
total period of the study, piglets in the experimental
group gained 3.98 ± 1.66 kg (P = 0.047) more than
the control group. The difference was particularly clear
during the nursery period (49 d) when the experimental
group gained 0.89 ± 0.23 kg more than the control
group (P = 0.03). Although piglets in the control group
consumed 37.15 ± 0.15 kg of feed over the complete
nursery period, the experimental group consumed 42.56
± 0.15 kg per piglet (P = 0.023). By heating the mash
feed in the first week after weaning, both growth performance
as well as feed consumption of piglets could
be increased. No difference in feed conversion and feeding
behavior was found between groups.
A comparative view on social hierarchy formation at different stages of pig production using sociometric measures
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The social structure of domestic pigs is based on a dominance hierarchy that is established after vigorous fighting when unacquainted pigs are brought together (Meese and Ewbank, 1973; Puppe and Tuchscherer, 1994). Amongst newly acquainted pigs mutual recognition during aggression seems to be related to an acquired familiarity (Puppe, 1998; Stookey and Gonyou, 1998), although the mechanisms underpinning individual discrimination remain rather unclear (McLeman et al., 2005). The decrease in aggression after mixing may be caused by an increase of simple habituation or, more obviously, by an increase of the clarity of mutual dominance relationships (Rushen, 1988; Jensen and Yngvesson, 1998). The repeated regrouping which is common in pig production, however, means that new hierarchies have to be established frequently. It is well known that high rates of aggression are involved in this process, which in turn may cause serious problems in animal welfare and performance (e.g. Stookey and Gonyou, 1994; Puppe and Tuchscherer, 1994; Puppe et al., 1997; Gonyou, 2001). A standardised and comprehensive approach to describe dominance relationships in gregarious farm animals quantitatively was recently developed, incorporating a combination of appropriate sociometric measures. The present study applied this approach to a comparative analysis of the social hierarchies within 57 groups of domestic pigs at different age/production stages with a total of 496 animals. Unacquainted pigs were grouped to three age categories that correspond to the typical production stages: weaned pigs (PIG28, 12 groups), growing pigs (PIG80, 16 groups), and reproductive sows (SOW, 29 groups). Based on observed agonistic interactions, sociometric values were calculated both at the dyadic and at the group level and may be considered as preliminary reference values for further studies. As indicated by the respective values of the Kendall index (PIG28: 0.66, tested as significant in 69.0% of the observed groups; PIG80: 0.71, 87.5%; SOW: 0.61, 69.0%), and the improved Landau index (PIG28: 0.70, 75.0%; PIG80: 0.72, 93.7%; SOW: 0.71, 72.4%), a social organisation towards a quasi-linear social hierarchy was predominantly developed throughout all age/production categories. However, compared to weaned and growing pigs, sows were characterised by significant differences concerning establishment (fewer agonistic interactions) and kind (more unknown dyads, fewer two-way and significant dyads, higher directional consistency index) of their social hierarchy. It seems that sows have effectively adapted their agonistic behaviour towards pen-mates to regulate social dominance relationships, whereas younger pigs frequently display agonistic interactions also to gain additional experience on social cues (e.g. the fighting ability of an opponent). Hence, it is concluded that the effective experience of socialisation during sensitive periods may increase the social skills of pigs which in turn can improve their welfare and health, e.g. by adjusted aggressive behaviour. The consideration of comparable and standardized sociometric measures in livestock breeding may help to improve husbandry conditions.
Growth of protein, moisture, lipid, and ash of two genetic lines of barrows and gilts from twenty to one hundred twenty-five kilograms of body weight
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Two genetic lines of barrows and gilts with different lean growth rates were used to determine the BW and chemical composition growth from 23 to 125 kg of BW. The experiment was a 2 × 2 × 5 factorial arrangement of treatments in a completely randomized design conducted in 2 replicates. At slaughter, tissues were collected and weighed. All components were ground and frozen until analyzed for water, protein, lipid, and ash. It was found that Overall, barrows had 21.3% greater lipid deposition (279 vs. 230 ± 78.2 g/d) than gilts. However, Barrows and gilts had similar predicted daily moisture, protein, and ash accretion rates.
Development of ingestive behaviour and the relationship to belly nosing in early-weaned piglets
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This article reviews current knowledge on the development of feeding, drinking and belly nosing in order to illustrate the relationships among the sucking, feeding and drinking motivational systems in the early-weaned piglet.
Pea protein as a substitute of soya bean protein in diets for young pigs: Effects on productivity and digestive traits
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The aim of this trial was to compare pea protein concentrate, soya protein concentrate, regular soya bean meal and fullfat soya bean as a source of dietary protein on performance, faecal and ileal digestibility and digestive traits of young pigs. It was found that the inclusion of 10.5% raw pea protein concentrate (4.9 g TI/kg) in the diet reduces growth performance in pigs from 26 to 36 days of age and nutrient digestibility at 48 days of age. The inclusion of 15.8% fullfat soya bean (4.7 g TI/kg) also reduces performance and nutrient digestibility as compared to soya protein concentrate (1.6 g TI/kg) or regular soya bean meal (2.7 g TI/kg). The inclusion of soya protein concentrate at the expenses of soya bean meal did not elicit a clear positive response on piglet growth or nutrient digestibility. Therefore, the use of raw pea protein concentrate and fullfat soya bean high in trypsin inhibitors should be restricted in diets for young pigs.
Injection of porcine growth hormone releasing hormone gene plasmid in skeletal muscle increases piglets' growth and whole body protein turnover
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The objectives of this study were to evaluate the growth promotion effect of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) plasmid injected in piglets and measure protein turnover in piglets injected with different amount of GHRH plasmid. It was found that the injection and expression of pGHRH gene plasmid in skeletal muscle of pigs stimulates GHRH and GH
excretion and increases circulating IGF-I concentration in piglets, improves growth performance and feed conversion.
Protein deposition increased after injecting pGHRH gene plasmid in muscle of piglets. This increase was caused by an increase in protein synthesis which exceeded the concomitant increase in protein breakdown. A dosage of 1 mg gave maximum effects of the pGHRH gene plasmid on protein metabolism in piglets. At higher doses, the feedback regulation of SS may limit the responses of protein metabolism to pGHRH gene plasmid.
Essential oils which will help fight foodborne diseases
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This research project began in 2005 with testing of 66
essential oils (including geraniol, eugenol, carvacrol, cinnamon
oil, clove oil and thymol) for their ability to inhibit the
growth of certain types of salmonella and E. coli.
Sixteen out of the 66 were found to have strong antimicrobial
properties. Nine were then further studied to measure
the degree of antibacterial effects and stability at low
pH (the acidity level found in pig stomachs), and to determine
whether they had any negative effect on the growth
of beneficial gut bacteria. The researchers have compared different forms of
essential oils – dry powder and liquid suspension – and have
found dry powder preferable as it is easy to store, handle and
distribute. Using dry powder also makes it easy to control
the dosage and, in addition, it can be applied to a premix,
then added to feed.
This year, the research team will carry out tests on
the antimicrobial activity of their developed essential oil
capsules when they are mixed with feed and exposed to
simulated digestion. The team will also strive to improve the
current encapsulation formula and develop new ones which
will achieve better release in the pig’s digestive system.
Animal tests will be planned if the in vitro study offers
positive results.
Mixing gilts in early pregnancy does not affect embryo survival
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Reports on the effects of mixing mated gilts to form stable, fixed groups during the pre-implantation period on conception rates and/or embryo survival are scarce. Consequently, the current experiment had two objectives: first, to investigate whether group housing during the first 4 weeks of gestation impairs embryo survival; second, to determine the effects of regrouping, and the timing of regrouping, during the first 10 days of gestation, on embryo survival. This experiment was conducted at the University of Adelaide, Pig and Poultry Production Institute (PPPI) at Roseworthy, South Australia, with approval from the animal ethics committee of The University of Adelaide. The experiment used 96 gilts, and was conducted in two replicates: replicate one ran from September to December 2006 (spring/summer) and replicate two ran from February to May 2007 (summer/autumn). It was found that group housing gilts during the first 26 days of gestation does not adversely affect pregnancy rates or embryo survival. Importantly, based on the current data, it is suggested that mixing gilts to form stable groups during the first 10 days of gestation is not detrimental to reproductive performance. However, the effects of remixing during the implantation period remain to be established, and the impact of mixing gilts under conditions when space is more limited is unknown.
Effect of drinker type on water intake and waste in newly weaned piglets
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In this experiment the effect of drinker type on water and food intake, growth rates, and belly nosing
were examined in newly weaned piglets. It was found that piglets with nipple drinkers wasted more water than other piglets, whereas piglets with float bowls consumed less water than the other piglets. Drinker type also affected feeding behaviour; piglets with push level bowls spent less time at the feeder than other piglets, although no difference was detected for feed intake or average daily gain. Also piglets appear to use more water during the first two days after weaning, although they do not appear to attain satiety through water consumption because most of the water used during this time is wasted. This excessive drinking and water wastage can be abated through the use of push-lever drinkers without negative implications for feed intake or growth rates.