• Title/Summary/Keyword: Weaning Pigs

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Effects of yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplementation on growth performance, fecal score, and nutrient digestibility of weaning pigs

  • Liu, Xiao;Li, Tianshui;Kim, In Ho
    • Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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    • v.45 no.4
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    • pp.677-685
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    • 2018
  • Weaning pigs often face post-weaning challenges such as diarrhea, low feed intake, and body weight (BW) loss which affects the health and economic value of weaning pigs. Interestingly, the use of yeast cultures (YCs) as feed supplements for pigs has increased markedly in recent years. This study evaluated the effects of yeast cultures (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on the growth performance, fecal score, and nutrient digestibility of weaning pigs. A total of 50 crossed healthy weaning pigs [(Yorkshire ${\times}$ Landrace) ${\times}$ Duroc] with an average BW of $7.46{\pm}1.60kg$ (28 day of age) were used in a 6-week experiment. The experiment was divided into 3 phases (Phase 1, 1 - 2 weeks; Phase 2, 2 - 4 weeks; Phase 3, 4 - 6 weeks). Dietary treatments were as follows: 1) CON: basal diet and 2) CON + 0.50% YC. During phase 1, the average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the weaning pigs fed YC supplementation diets compared with the weaning pigs fed the CON diet. During phase 3 as well as overall, the gain/feed ratio (G/F) was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the YC supplementation group compared with the pigs fed the CON diet. In conclusion, the supplementation of YCs in the diet positively affected the growth performance of weaning pigs during the first two weeks after weaning.

Effects of semi-floor pens on growth performance and stress in weaning pigs (사육면적 증가를 위한 반층돈사의 활용이 이유자돈의 성장 및 스트레스에 미치는 영향)

  • Chung, Woolim;Lee, Geonil;Hong, Jinsu;Jeong, Jaehark;Kim, Yooyong
    • Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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    • v.22 no.1
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    • pp.27-34
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    • 2016
  • The objective of this study was to increased breeding area in same size pig pen and growth performance of weaning pigs. A total of 330 crossbred ($6.68{\pm}0.36kg$) weaning pigs were subjected to a 42-day feeding trial(3 pens/treatment) in which effects of the semi-floor were compared : NC; Negative control ($0.23m^2/pig$; 40 pigs/pen), PC; Positive control($0.30m^2/pig$; 30 pigs/pen) and Semi-floor($0.30m^2/pig$; 40 pigs/pen). There was a significant effect on BW at 6 week along all treatment(P<0.01). There was a effect of Semi-floor treatment on ADG(average daily gain) only during the first 3 week after weaning(P<0.01). No significant effect was observed in the ADFI during the experiment period. NC treatment had significantly lower BUN value than other treatments(P<0.05). The results from immune and stress response with semi-floor suggest that no negative effects in their blood analysis. Consequently, semi floor treatments increased additional breeding area and also growth performance rather than other treatments in weaning pigs.

Supplemental Fermented Milk Increases Growth Performance of Early-Weaned Pigs

  • Dunshea, F.R.;Kerton, D.J.;Eason, P.J.;King, R.H.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.13 no.4
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    • pp.511-515
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    • 2000
  • Early weaning is a means of breaking the disease cycle from sow to piglet as well as capitalising on the enormous growth potential of the pig. However, the transition from milk to dry diets results in a growth check. Feeding of supplemental milk, fermented to reduce pH and enterotoxigenic bactetial proliferation, may be a means of gradually weaning pigs on to solid feed. This study involved 216 pigs weaned from the sow at 12 days of age, allocated to groups of 6 males and 6 females per weaner pen and allowed ad libitum access to a pelleted diet. In addition, half the pigs were given supplemental fermented skim milk for the first 8 days after weaning. Feeding supplemental fermented milk increased feed intake (104 vs. 157 g DM/d, p=0.011), average daily gain (-3 vs. 112 g/d, p<0.001) and feed conversion efficiency (0.01 vs. 0.81, p=0.003) over the first 8 days after weaning. The improvements observed in the supplemented pigs continued to be augmented such that, by 42 days of age, the pigs that had received supplemental fermented milk were heavier (9.6 vs. 11.5 kg, p=0.003) than their unsupplemented counterparts. Feeding fermented supplemental milk to early-weaned pigs can improve growth performance in the immediate and subsequent post-weaning period.

Sexual Dimorphism in Growth of Sucking and Growing Pigs

  • Dunshea, F.R.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.14 no.11
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    • pp.1610-1615
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    • 2001
  • Three studies were conducted to determine the effect of sex on pre- and post-weaning performance of pigs. These studies were conducted in response to observations that female pigs appear to grow faster than male pigs after weaning. In addition, female pigs have been found to grow faster than male pigs when supplied with supplemental milk before weaning. The aims of the present work were to further characterise the ontogeny of sex differences growth of nursing and growing pigs. In the first study, piglets sucking 32 sows were crossfostered to produce litters of 10 boars (n=9), 10 gilts (n=l 1) or 5 boars and 5 gilts (n=12). Liveweight of the sucking pigs was then measured weekly until weaning at 4 weeks of age. In the second study, 80 boars and 80 gilts were weaned at 26 days of age and growth performance measured until 21 days post-weaning. In the third experiment, 40 boars and 40 gilts were weaned into groups of 5 pigs at either 17 or 25 days of age and pigs were weighed until they were approximately 90 kg liveweight. All-boar litters grew more slowly than the all-gilt and mixed litters such that by 14 days of age the all-boar litters were 10% lighter than the all-gilt or mixed litters (39 vs. 43.8 kg, p=0.050). The proportional difference in litter weight appeared to be maintained at 21 days of age (53.9 vs. 59.4 kg, p=0.063) but was diminished by 28 days of age (66.5 vs. 70.8 kg, p=0.28). In the second study, gilts grew more quickly than boars over the first 7 and 21 days post-weaning and as a consequence were 10% heavier than boars at 21 days after weaning (13.7 vs 12.48 kg, p=0.001). In the third study, gilts grew more quickly than boars in the immediate 7 days post-weaning (40 vs. 5 g/day, p=0.014) whereas from 7 until 35 days post-weaning there was no significant difference in growth rate (381 vs. 360 g/day, p=0.19). Gilts also grew more quickly than boars over the 14 days after being moved into the grower (631 vs. 570 g/day, p=0.013) and finisher (749 vs. 688 g/day, p=0.038) sheds. However, these differences were not maintained over the entire period in each shed. These data support the hypotheses that gilts handle the stresses of weaning and other transitions better than boars.

Comparison of Growth Performance of Antibiotic-free Yorkshire Crossbreds Sired by Berkshire, Large Black, and Tamworth Breeds Raised in Hoop Structures

  • Whitley, N.;Morrow, W.E.M.;See, M.T.;Oh, S.H.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.25 no.10
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    • pp.1351-1356
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    • 2012
  • The objective of this study was to compare body weight, ADG, and feed:gain ratio of antibiotic-free pigs from Yorkshire dams and sired by Yorkshire (YY), Berkshire (BY), Large Black (LBY) or Tamworth (TY) boars. All the crossbred pigs in each of three trials were raised as one group from weaning to finishing in the same deep-bedded hoop, providing a comfortable environment for the animals which allowed rooting and other natural behaviors. Birth, weaning and litter weights were measured and recorded. From approximately 50 kg to market weight (125 kg), feed intake and body weights were recorded manually (body weight) or using a FIRE (Feed Intake Recording Equipment, Osborne Industries Inc. Osborne, Kansas) system with eight individual feeding stations. Feed intake data for 106 finishing pigs between 140 and 210 d of age and the resulting weights and feed conversion ratios were analyzed by breed type. Least square means for body weights (birth, weaning and to 240 d) were estimated with Proc Mixed in SAS 9.2 for fixed effects such as crossbreed and days of age within the sire breed. The differences within fixed effects were compared using least significant differences with DIFF option. Individual birth weights and weaning weights were influenced by sire breed (p<0.05). For birth weight, BY pigs were the lightest, TY and YY pigs were the heaviest but similar to each other and LBY pigs were intermediate. For weaning weights, BY and LBY pigs were heavier than TY and YY pigs. However, litter birth and weaning weights were not influenced by sire breed, and average daily gain was also not significantly different among breed types. Tamworth sired pigs had lower overall body weight gain, and feed conversion was lower in TY and YY groups than BY and LBY groups (p<0.05), however, number of observations was somewhat limited for feed conversion and for Tamworth pigs. Overall, no convincing differences among breed types were noted for this study, but growth performance in the outdoor environment was satisfactory.

Effects of β-glucan with vitamin E supplementation on the growth performance, blood profiles, immune response, fecal microbiota, fecal score, and nutrient digestibility in weaning pigs

  • Tae Wook Goh;Hong Jun Kim;Kunyong Moon;Cheon Soo Kim;Yoo Yong Kim
    • Animal Bioscience
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    • v.36 no.4
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    • pp.642-653
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    • 2023
  • Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate effects of β-glucan with vitamin E supplementation on the growth performance, blood profiles, immune response, fecal microbiota, fecal score, and nutrient digestibility in weaning pigs. Methods: A total of 200 weaning pigs with an average body weight (BW) of 7.64±0.741 kg were allotted to five treatment groups and were divided based on sex and initial BW in four replicates with ten pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design. The experimental diets included a corn-soybean meal-based basal diet with or without 0.1% or 0.2% β-glucan and 0.02% vitamin E. The pigs were fed the diets for 6 weeks. A total of 15 barrows were used to evaluate the nutrient digestibility by the total collection method. The BW and feed intake were measured at the end of each phase. Blood samples were collected at the end of each phase, and fecal samples were collected at the end of the experiment. Results: The addition of β-glucan with vitamin E to weaning pig feed increased BW, average daily gain, and average daily feed intake. A significant decrease in yeast and mold and Proteobacteria and a tendency for Lactobacillus to increase compared to the control was shown when 0.1% β-glucan and 0.02% vitamin E were added. The fecal score in weaning pigs was lower in the treatments supplemented with 0.1% or 0.2% β-glucan and 0.02% vitamin E compared to the control. In addition, vitamin E was better supplied to weaning pigs by increasing the concentration of α-tocopherol in the blood of weaning pigs when 0.02% vitamin E was supplemented. However, there was no significant difference in either the immune response or nutrient digestibility. Conclusion: Inclusion of 0.1% β-Glucan with 0.02% vitamin E in a weaning pig's diet were beneficial to the growth performance of weaning pigs by improving intestinal microbiota and reducing the incidence of diarrhea.

The Low Feed Intake in Newly-weaned Pigs: Problems and Possible Solutions

  • Dong, G.Z.;Pluske, J.R.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.20 no.3
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    • pp.440-452
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    • 2007
  • The low feed intake immediately after weaning is responsible for villous atrophy and reduced growth rate in newly-weaned pigs. Overcoming this drawback will produce beneficial results for swine producers, and this warrants an understanding of the factors affecting the feed intake in newly-weaned pigs. In fact, a plethora of factors exert influences on feed intake in newly-weaned pigs, and these factors encompass health status, creep feeding, weaning age, mixing of litters, environment, dietary nutrient level and balance, palatability of ingredients, forms of diet presentation, water supply and quality, and stockmanship. Due to the complexity of the factors that affect the feed intake of weaned pigs, a comprehensive approach should be adopted to overcome the low feed intake problem right after weaning. It warrants mention that it is almost impossible to completely restore the feed intake just after weaning to pre-weaning level in terms of energy intake through dietary means which are available for being practiced economically and/or technically in current swine production. However, a refined dietary regime will certainly alleviate the low feed intake problem in the immediate postweaning period.

Acidifier as an Alternative Material to Antibiotics in Animal Feed

  • Kim, Y.Y.;Kil, D.Y.;Oh, H.K.;Han, In K.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.18 no.7
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    • pp.1048-1060
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    • 2005
  • Dietary acidifiers appear to be a possible alternative to feed antibiotics in order to improve performance of weaning pigs. It is generally known that dietary acidifiers lower gastric pH, resulting in increased activity of proteolytic enzymes, improved protein digestibility and inhibiting the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria in GI tract. It is also hypothesized that acidifiers could be related to reduction of gastric emptying rate, energy source in intestine, chelation of minerals, stimulation of digestive enzymes and intermediate metabolism. However, the exact mode of action still remains questionable. Organic acidifiers have been widely used for weaning pigs' diets for decades and most common organic acidifiers contain fumaric, citric, formic and/or lactic acid. Many researchers have observed that dietary acidifier supplementation improved growth performance and health status in weaning pigs. Recently inorganic acidifiers as well as organic acidifiers have drawn much attention due to improving performance of weaning pigs with a low cost. Several researchers introduced the use of salt form of acidifiers because of convenient application and better effects than pure state acids. However, considerable variations in results of acidifier supplementation have been reported in response of weaning pigs. The inconsistent responses to dietary acidifiers could be explained by feed palatability, sources and composition of diet, supplementation level of acidifier and age of animals.

Various levels of rapeseed meal in weaning pig diets from weaning to finishing periods

  • Do, Sung Ho;Kim, Byeong Ock;Fang, Lin Hu;You, Dong Hyeon;Hong, Jin su;Kim, Yoo Yong
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.30 no.9
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    • pp.1292-1302
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    • 2017
  • Objective: This experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of rapeseed meal (RSM) supplementation in weaning pig diet on growth performance, blood profile, carcass characteristics and economic analysis on weaning to finishing pigs. Methods: A total of 120 cross bred ([Yorkshire${\times}$Landrace]${\times}$Duroc) weaning pigs were allotted to 5 treatments in a randomized complete block design. Each treatment had 4 replications with 6 pigs per pen. Five different levels of RSM (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%) were used as dietary treatments. Results: Overall, no treatment showed significant differences in growth performance with increased dietary RSM levels. The concentration of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) decreased as dietary RSM levels increased in 6 weeks (linear response, p<0.01). Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine showed no significant differences, neither were there any significant differences in the immune response (IgG and IgA). As the dietary RSM levels of weaning pig diet were increased, no differences were found among dietary treatments upon performing proximate analyses of the pork after finishing. The influence of RSM supplementation on nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention were not affected by dietary RSM levels either. With increased dietary RSM levels in the weaning pig diet, no differences among dietary treatments were found after performing proximate analyses of the pork's physiochemical properties. In addition, there were no significant differences observed in pork colors, pH levels, and economic benefits. Conclusion: Consequently, this experiment demonstrated that weaning pig's diet containing RSM influenced BUN concentration, but there were no detrimental effects on the growth performance of weaning pigs with up to 8% RSM in the diet.

Effects of Fat Sources on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Serum Traits and Intestinal Morphology in Weaning Pigs

  • Jung, H.J.;Kim, Y.Y.;Han, In K.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.16 no.7
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    • pp.1035-1040
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    • 2003
  • This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of fat sources on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum traits and intestinal morphology in weaning pigs. A total of 128 weaning pigs (Landrace${\times}$Large White${\times}$Duroc, $21{\pm}2$ days of age, $5.82{\pm}0.13kg$ of average initial body weight) were allotted in a randomized complete block (RCB) design with four treatments: 1) corn oil, 2) soybean oil, 3) tallow and 4) fish oil. Each treatment had 8 replicates with 4 pigs per pen. During phase I period (d 0 to 14), pigs fed corn oil or soybean oil diet tended to show higher ADG and FCR than any other treatments although there was no significant difference. During phase II period (d 15 to 28), pigs fed corn oil diet showed better ADG and ADFI than pigs fed soybean oil, tallow or fish oil. For overall period, growth performance of weaning pigs was improved (p<0.05) when pigs were fed soybean oil or corn oil. Apparent digestibility of energy and fat was improved when pigs were fed corn oil diet (p<0.05). Supplementation of corn oil resulted in higher serum triglyceride concentration than the other treatments (p<0.05). However, there was a lower cholesterol concentration when corn oil was provided compared to tallow or fish oil. Pigs fed corn oil tended to have increased villus height compared with soybean oil, tallow or fish oil treatment (p<0.05). This experiment suggested that vegetable oils such as corn oil or soybean oil, were much better fat source for improving growth performance of weaning pigs.