5 Effects of Nutrition Plans and Floor and Feeder Space on Growth Performance and Behaviors of 6- to 28-kg Nursery Pigs

Abstract The objective was to determine the effects of different nutrition plans and floor and feeder space on growth performance and behaviors of 6- to 28-kg nursery pigs. A total of 1,340 pigs (PIC337×Camborough, initially 5.6±0.19 kg) were used in a 7-week trial, which was divided into 3 dietary phases (Phase1: week1, Phase2: week 2-4, and Phase3: week 5-7). Pens of pigs were weighed, blocked by body weight, and randomly allotted to 1 of 4 treatments in a 2×2 factorial design with 10 pens/treatment. Treatment factors were: 1) nutrition plans that either meet or are below PIC nutrient recommendations (lysine, amino acid to lysine ratios, and phosphorous). Diets meeting PIC recommendations had greater ME concentration by 100-150 kcal/kg; 2) floor and feeder space that either meet or are below PIC recommendations (30 or 37 pigs/pen in Phase 1 and 2, 28 or 35 pigs/pen in Phase 3). Pigs and feeders were weighed, and ear and tail lesions were scored and recorded weekly. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed model in R. There was no evidence of interaction between factors. Overall, pig fed diets containing lower nutrient levels had reduced (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed ratio. Pigs that were housed with less floor and feeder space had reduced (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI in the overall period. Less floor and feeder space also resulted in a greater removal and mortality rate (P = 0.02). Pigs fed diets containing lower nutrient levels had increased incidence of ear lesions in week5 (6.06 and 2.55%, P = 0.003), week6 (12.59 and 5.45%, P < 0.001), and week7 (21.22 and 11.22%, P < 0.001). In conclusion, feeding nursery pigs below PIC nutrient recommendations and/or providing less floor and feeder space reduced growth performance, increased ear lesions incidence, and increased the removal and mortality rate.