The Effects of Nursery Environmental Enrichments on Subsequent Fnishing Hogs

Abstract Text:                  

The inclusion of environmental enrichments in the nursery reduces agonistic behavior and increases average daily gain.  This study evaluated the effects of exposure to environmental enrichments in the nursery on finishing hogs.  Hogs (n=40) that were either exposed to environmental enrichments in the nursery or not, were randomly assigned to finishing floors.  All hogs were received the same diets, which met of exceeded NRC requirements.  Prior to slaughter back fat, loin eye area, and finishing weights were recorded.  Back fat and loin eye area were determined using ultrasound.  Hogs exposed to environmental enrichments in the nursery had significantly thicker (P < 0.05) average back fat thickness (1.98 ± 0.03 cm) compared to hogs that were not exposed to environmental enrichments in the nursery (1.85 ± 0.02 cm).  Similarly, hogs exposed to environmental enrichments in the nursery had significantly higher (P < 0.05) loin eye area (32.90 ± 1.09 cm²) compared to hogs that were not exposed to environmental enrichments in the nursery (29.95 ± 1.03 cm²).  There was no difference between the finishing weights the two groups.  The results of this study suggest that finishing hogs exposed to environmental enrichments in the nursery will increase higher loin eye area and back fat thickness measurements with no adverse effects on finishing weights. 

Keywords:

Environmental Enrichments, Finishing, Performance