0
Two different experiments were conducted for the present trial (Exp 1 and Exp 2). In Exp 1 a total of 1170 pigs were distributed into 5 treatments according to the initial BW. The experimental treatments were feeder settings of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 based on settings at the top of the stainless steel dry feeder. In Exp 2 a total of 1250 animals were distributed to 1 of 6 experimental treatments with 8 replicates. The experimental treatments were arranged following a 3 x 2 factorial design with the main effects the stainless steel dry feeder setting (1, 3 or 5) and the diet type (corn-soybean meal- or by-product-based (15% DDGS and 5% bakery by-product).
In Exp 1, it was observed that pigs feed from feeders with increasing feeder openings had increased (linear, P<0.04) ADG and ADFI from day 0 to 28. From day 28 to 70, increasing feeder setting did not affect (P>0.10) growth performance traits. Overall, pigs feed from feeder with increasing feeder openings had increased ADFI (P<0.03). In Exp 2, no interactions between feeder setting and diet type were observed for growth performance (P>0.31). Diet type did not affect growth performance (P>0.75). However, increasing feeder openings increased ADG (P<0.03) and ADFI (P<0.01).
It is concluded that feeding pigs with feeders with a more open feeder setting improved growth and productive performance independently of the dietary characteristics.
AW Duttlinger, SS Dritz, MD Tokach, JM DeRouchey, JM Nelssen and RD Goodband. 2008. Swine Day, KSU. 204-214.
