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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.
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Optimum Space Allowances for Nursery Pigs
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Prairie Swine Centre, Production by student on June 19, 2018
Author: Dr. Cyril Roy, Prairie Swine Centre
Publication: Centred on Swine, Fall 2017 Volume 23 Number 2
Summary:
Providing optimal space allowance has been show to increase average daily gain (ADG). There has been significant research that focused on grow-finish pigs; however the information regarding nursery pigs is limited. Although, having the optimum growth rate due to optimal space allowance is ideal it is not economically feasible. The optimum economic return is influence both by growth rates and overall barn output. Space allowance also affects feeding and drinking behavior and posture of the pigs.
Changes within the behavior of the pigs can be used as an early indicator for the potential impacts on productivity. Pigs raised in commercial settings are more susceptible to crowding stress than those managed under research farm conditions.
The greatest negative impact with lower space allowances (below k 0.0335) occurs between 3 and 5 weeks on commercial farm sites.
Optimizing Space Allowance for Nursery Pigs