16
Evaluating the effects of floor space allowance and pig removal from a group on the growth of finishing pigs

Wednesday, March 16, 2016: 9:00 AM
312-313 (Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center)
Josh R. Flohr , Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
J. C. Woodworth , Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
M. D. Tokach , Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
S. S. Dritz , Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
J. M. DeRouchey , Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
R. D. Goodband , Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
G. Gourley , Gourley Research Group LLC, Webster City, IA
Abstract Text:

A total of 1,092 finishing pigs (initially 36.3 ± 1.2 kg BW) were used in a 117-d study to evaluate the impact of initial floor space allowance and removal strategy on the growth of finishing pigs up to 140 kg. There were 4 experimental treatments with 14 pens per treatment. The first treatment stocked pigs at 0.91 m2 (15 pigs/pen) throughout the duration of the study. The other 3 treatments initially stocked pigs at 0.65 m2 (21 pigs/pen) and were subject to one of 3 removal strategies. The second treatment (2:2:2) removed the 2 heaviest pigs from pens on d 64, 76, and 95. Treatment 3 (2:4) removed the 2 heaviest pigs on d 76 and the 4 heaviest pigs on d 105. Treatment 4 (6) removed the heaviest 6 pigs on d 105. All pigs remaining in pens after removals were fed to d 117. Overall (d 0 to 117), pigs initially provided 0.91 m2 of floor space had increased (P<0.05) ADG compared to pigs in pens on the 2:4 or 6 removal strategy. Pigs initially provided 0.91 m2 of floor space had increased (P<0.05) ADFI compared to pigs initially provided 0.65 m2 of floor space. Feed efficiency was poorer for pigs initially provided 0.91 m2 of floor space compared to pigs on the 2:2:2 or 2:4 removal strategy. Total BW gain per pen was greater (P<0.05) for pens initially stocked at 0.65 m2 compared to pens initially stocked at 0.91 m2. Feed usage per pen was less (P<0.05) for pens initially stocked at 0.91 m2 compared to pens initially providing 0.65 m2 of floor space and on removal strategies. Feed usage per pen was less (P<0.05) for pigs on the 2:2:2 removal strategy compared to pigs on the 2:4 or the 6 removal strategy. In conclusion, increasing the floor space allowance or the time points at which pigs are removed from the pen improved the growth of pigs remaining in the pen.

 

treatments

 

 

Initial floor space, m2:

0.91

0.65

0.65

0.65

 marketing strategy:

none

2:2:2

2:4

6

 

SEM

d 0 to 117

ADG, kg

0.92

0.90

0.88

0.87

0.008

ADFI, kg

2.58

2.40

2.39

2.39

0.022

G:F

0.358

0.377

0.370

0.364

0.002

d 0 BW, kg

36.4

36.3

36.3

36.3

0.32

Average BW at time of removal, kg

144.8

132.3

134.9

136.6

0.87

Total BW gain, kg/pen

1,603

2,032

2,077

2,083

27.4

Feed usage, kg/pen

4,537

5,349

5,566

5,730

46.1

Keywords: finishing pig, stocking density, marketing