Piglet growth before and after weaning in relation to a qualitative estimate of solid (creep) feed intake during lactation: A pilot study*

Abstract

The experimental objectives were to verify whether a qualitative measure of creep feed consumption using a dye was related to performance, and associate this with teat order. Indigo carmine (5 g/kg) was added to a starter diet between days 12 and 31 (weaning) of lactation. On days 19, 23, 27 and 31, faeces from each piglet were assessed for colouration. Each piglet was categorized as a ‘good’, ‘moderate’ or ‘small/non’ eater of feed. There were no differences in pre-weaning growth rate between categories. Piglets classed as ‘good’ or ‘moderate’ eaters in lactation grew fastest (p = 0.009) in the first three days after weaning, but between days 4 and 7, the highest growth rate occurred in ‘moderate’ eaters. ‘Small/non' eaters grew slower (p < 0.01) between weaning and 28 days after weaning. Piglets drinking milk from anterior teats were heavier at weaning (p < 0.001) and for the first 14 days after weaning (p = 0.104) compared to piglets sucking posterior teats. Data from this study demonstrated that creep feed intake of piglets could qualitatively be assessed using indigo carmine, and that this categorization was related to performance in the immediate post-weaning period.

Keywords:

• Piglet
• growth rate
• weaning
• creep feed
• teat order

Acknowledgements

Financial support for this work was provided through an Australian Research Council Linkage grant with Danish Pig Production, the Department of Agriculture and Food of Western Australia, and Wandalup Farms Ltd. as the industry partners. Mr Bob Davis and Mr Richard Seaward (Medina Research Station), and Mr Roland Nicholls and Ms Stacy McCullough (Department of Agriculture and Food), are gratefully acknowledged for their technical assistance during the study.

Notes

*Aspects of this work have been published previously as 1-page papers:

Kim J-C, Mullan BP, Payne HG, Callesen J, Wilson RH, Pluske JR. 2005. Pre- and post weaning growth in relation to creep feed consumption of individual piglets. In: Paterson JE, editor. Manipulating Pig Production X. Australasian Pig Science Association, Werribee, Australia. p. 165.

Kim J-C, Mullan BP, Callesen J, Wilson RH, Pluske JR. 2005. Piglets suckling anterior teats during lactation grow faster but then show a reduced rate of growth. In: Paterson JE, editor. Manipulating Pig Production X. Australasian Pig Science Association, Werribee, Australia. p. 226.