Weaning remains a stressful event with an important impact on the animals.
in the ‘delayed’ group had a higher feed intake than control piglets (594 vs. 569 g/day). As a result, ‘delayed’ piglets showed increased bodyweight three weeks after weaning (16.1 vs. 15.6 kg). That effect on bodyweight was not signifi- cant over the whole course of the experiment, however. Feed efficiency was not significantly affected. The results are counterintuitive, as it is generally accepted that it is important that piglets start eating as soon as possi- ble after weaning. Fasting affects intestinal morphology. It is possible, that the amount of feed ingested during the first days after weaning may be more important than the onset of feeding. The reduced feed intake post-weaning has immedi- ate and mid-term effects on piglets’ growth and metabolism. Also, individual creep feed intake was not monitored. Still, the results are thought-provoking and further mechanis- tic research may help to optimise feeding management of newly weaned piglets.
Theories to explain the lower feed intake The researchers raise different theories for explaining the lower feed intake in control piglets. • Firstly, weaning is a stressful period for piglets. As a con- sequence, it might be that piglets associate this stress with the sensation caused by ingesting feed, negatively affect- ing their affinity for solid feed.
• Secondly, the stress around weaning may affect the piglet’s learning abilities. Especially piglets that have not been consuming creep feed need to learn recognising solid feed.
38 ▶ WEANING | JUNE 2020
Thus, when providing feed for the first time on the day af- ter weaning, due to their level of hunger and probably lower acute stress levels, the ability to learn to eat solid feed from pen mates might have increased.
• Thirdly, it is possible that most pigs lack the motivation to eat very much on the day of weaning, whether or not the feed is present. The ‘delayed’ pigs received fresh feed the day after weaning. It is possible that the act of present- ing fresh feed at that time may have stimulated them to eat more. In the pigs in the control group, feed was already present and therefore, the pigs did not receive a stimulus similar to receiving fresh feed on the day after weaning.
• Finally, the uptake of nutrients during a stressful period may by itself have some detrimental effects.
The present trial showed that an 18-hour delay in the first feed provisioning had a sustained effect several weeks later. It shows that appropriate feeding of newly-weaned piglets in- volves more than simply providing the right set of nutrients; feeding management must also be taken into account. It can be concluded that small changes in feeding manage- ment after weaning may have prolonged effects on piglets. However, the researchers warn against overly quick conclu- sions concerning this trial. This warrants the need for further research.
* This article is an approved and condensed version of a publica- tion in Livestock Science. That article was authored by Sam Mil- let, Hubèrt van Hees, Geert Janssens and Sarah De Smet.
PHOTO: ILVO
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
