More Feedings Don't Help Fattening Pigs
Author Information
Author(s): Eva Persson, Margret Wülbers-Mindermann, Charlotte Berg, Bo Algers
Primary Institution: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Hypothesis
Does increasing daily feeding occasions improve the performance and well-being of fattening pigs?
Conclusion
Feeding pigs more frequently led to slower growth and more gastric lesions compared to those fed less often.
Supporting Evidence
- Pigs fed nine times daily gained less weight than those fed three times daily.
- The treatment group had a higher average gastric lesion score.
- Increased feeding frequency led to more competition among pigs.
Takeaway
Feeding pigs more times a day didn't help them grow better and made them have more stomach problems.
Methodology
360 pigs were divided into two groups, one fed three times daily and the other nine times, to compare growth and gastric health.
Potential Biases
Competition for feed may have influenced growth outcomes.
Limitations
Feeding times were clustered for practical reasons, which may have affected results.
Participant Demographics
Crossbred pigs (Swedish Landrace × Swedish Yorkshire) × Hampshire, aged 27 to 112 kg.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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