Effect of group size on performance of growing-finishing pigs

Six hundred forty growing-finishing pigs (initial BW = 23.2 +/- 4.8 kg) were used in a 12-wk study (final BW = 95.5 +/- 10.2 kg) to quantify the effects of group size (10, 20, 40, and 80 pigs/pen) on performance, tail biting, and use of widely distributed feed resources. One single-space wet/dry feeder was provided for every 10 pigs, and floor allowance was 0.76 m2/pig in all treatment groups. Weight gain and feed intake were measured every 2 wk. At weighing, a tail-biting injury score was given to each pig. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio before regrouping at the beginning of the experiment, 24 to 48 h after regrouping, and on the last day of each trial. The use of feeders by individual pigs was assessed by behavioral observations. Average daily gain for the entire 12-wk trial did not differ among group sizes (861, 873, 854, and 845 g/d for groups of 10, 20, 40, and 80, respectively; P > 0.10). During the first 2 wk, ADG was lower for pigs in groups of 40 (554 g/d) than pigs in groups of 10 (632 g/d; P < 0.05), but not pigs in groups of 20 or 80 (602 and 605 g/d, respectively). Average daily feed intake, feed efficiency, and variability in final BW within a pen also did not differ among group sizes. Tail-biting injury scores increased throughout the study, but did not differ among group sizes. Similar proportions of pigs were removed from the trial for health reasons, primarily due to tail biting, in all treatments. Individual pigs in each group size ate from most, if not all, of the feeders in the pen. There was no evidence of spatial subgrouping within the larger groups. The results suggest that housing growing-finishing pigs in groups of up to 80 pigs is not detrimental to productivity and health if space allowance is adequate and feed resources are evenly distributed.     

Effects of farrowing system on behavior and growth performance of growing-finishing pigs

A study was conducted to compare growth performance and behaviors of group-farrowed pigs with those of confinement-farrowed pigs. A total of 216 pigs (8 wk of age) were used, with an equal number of group-farrowed or confinement-farrowed pigs from 1 farrowing batch. Group-farrowed pigs were farrowed in bedded, individual pens and mingled into a group of 8 litters at 12 (±1.3) d of age. Pigs were weaned at 33 (±1.3) d and remained in the farrowing room until 8 wk of age. Confinement-farrowed pigs were farrowed in farrowing crates. At weaning (32 ± 2.0 d of age), confinement-farrowed pigs were mixed and moved to pens of 9 pigs in a confinement nursery and remained there until 8 wk of age. At 8 wk of age, pigs from the 2 housing systems were allocated to 24 pens of 9 pigs in a confinement growing-finishing barn, with 12 pens from each of the housing systems. Within farrowing system, pigs from different groups or pens were mixed upon entering the growing-finishing barn. Individual BW was recorded at allotment (wk 0) to the growing-finishing barn and every 2 wk thereafter for 14 wk. Feed intake and G:F were monitored on a pen basis every 2 wk between wk 0 and 14 of the study period. Behaviors of pigs were video recorded in 6 pens of each housing treatment for 24 h on the day of mixing (d 0), d 7, and d 14 after mixing in the finisher barn. The video recordings were scanned at 5-min intervals to calculate behavioral time budgets for lying, standing, eating, drinking, and belly nosing. Data were analyzed using the Proc Mixed model of SAS with repeated measures. Compared with confinement-farrowed pigs, group-farrowed pigs spent more time lying (85.7 vs. 82.7%; SE = 0.75; P < 0.001) and belly nosing (0.05 vs. 0.02%; P < 0.05) and less time standing (5.8 vs. 7.5%; SE = 0.49; P < 0.01) and eating (7.3 vs. 9.3%; SE = 0.40; P < 0.001). The difference in behavioral time budgets was associated with differences in performance of pigs from the 2 housing systems. Group-farrowed pigs exhibited greater ADG (866 vs. 814 g; SE = 10.3; P < 0.01) for the initial 2 wk after mixing, less ADFI (2,004 vs. 2,188 g; SE = 42.5; P < 0.05), and improved G:F (0.431 vs. 0.393; SE = 0.0078; P < 0.01) for the entire 14-wk study period compared with confinement-farrowed pigs. These results suggest that group-farrowed pigs were more efficient than confinement-farrowed pigs in utilizing dietary energy for BW gain by lying more and standing and eating less during the growing and finishing period.     

Intrauterine growth restriction alters growth performance,plasma hormones,and small intestinal microbial communities in growing-finishing pigs

Background: The interaction of the gut microbiota with key metabolic and physiological processes may be associated with poor growth outcomes in animals born with intrauterine growth restriction(IUGR).Results: Growth performance, plasma hormone concentrations, and intestinal microbiota composition were analyzed in IUGR pigs and in normal birth weight(NBW) pigs when the NBW pigs reached 25, 50, and 100 kg of body weight(BW). Compared to NBW pigs, IUGR pigs had lower initial, weaned, and final BW, and lower average daily gain and average daily feed intake in all the considered time points. In the 25 kg BW group, IUGR pigs had higher concentrations of plasma ghrelin and pancreatic polypeptide(PP), but lower insulin concentration than NBW pigs, while the situation was reversed in the 50 kg BW group. As compared to NBW pigs, IUGR pigs had higher microbial alpha diversity in the jejunum and ileum;in the 50 and 100 kg BW groups, IUGR pigs had higher Firmicutes abundance but lower Proteobacteria abundance in the jejunum, and lower Lactobacillus abundance in the jejunum and ileum;in the 25 kg BW group, IUGR pigs showed higher unclassified Ruminococcaceae abundance in the ileum;and in 25 and 50 kg BW groups, IUGR pigs showed lower Ochrobactrum abundance in the jejunum.Spearman's correlation revealed that Lactobacillus was negatively correlated with growth performance, while unclassified Ruminococcaceae was positively correlated. Predictive metagenomic analysis detected significantly different expression of genes in the intestinal microbiota between IUGR and NBW pigs, suggesting different metabolic capabilities between the two groups.Conclusions: Growing-finishing IUGR pigs showed lower growth performance, higher microbial alpha diversity, and differences in plasma hormone concentrations compared to NBW pigs. Alterations in the abundance of Firmicutes,Proteobacteria, Ruminococcaceae, Lactobacillus, and Ochrobactrum in the small intestine may be associated with IUGR, and may therefore serve as a future target for gut microbiota intervention in growing-finishing IUGR pigs.     

生长肥育猪性别对甲基吡啶铬使用效果的影响

选择 48头平均体重为 30.7kg± 3.1kg的三元杂交健康生长猪，按单因子随机区组设计分为两个处理，分别饲喂未加甲基吡啶铬的日粮和添加 0.05％甲基吡啶铬的日粮。试验结果显示：同对照组青年母猪相比，试验组青年母猪的平均日增重（ ADG）（ P=0.27）、饲料转化效率（ FCR）（ P=0.08）和瘦肉率（ P=0.20）得到不同程度的提高和改善；同对照组阉公猪相比，试验组肥育阉公猪的 ADG和 FCR受到显著（ P=0.04）抑制，瘦肉率表现出降低的趋势（ P=0.27）。结论：性别是影响生长肥育猪对甲基吡啶铬使用效果的一个重要因素。     

Effect of high temperature and low-protein diets on the performance of growing-finishing pigs

The effects of reducing CP level in combination with an increase in ambient temperature (29 vs 22 degrees C) on performance and carcass composition were studied in a factorial arrangement of treatments involving 66 Piétrain x (Landrace x Large White) barrows from 27 to 100 kg BW. Animals were fed at each temperature one of three experimental diets that provided 0.85 or 0.70 g of digestible lysine per megajoule of NE, in the growing (27 to 65 kg) and the finishing (65 to 100 kg) phases, respectively. Diet 1 was a corn, wheat, and soybean meal diet formulated without crystalline AA; CP levels were 20.3 and 17.6% for the growing and the finishing phases, respectively. In Diets 2 and 3, CP level was reduced by substituting part of the soybean meal with corn and wheat (Diet 2), or with corn, wheat, and 4% fat (Diet 3). Diets 2 and 3 were supplemented with AA and balanced according to the ideal protein concept. The CP levels of Diets 2 and 3 were, respectively, 15.8 and 16.3% in the growing phase, and 13.4 and 13.8% in the finishing phase. Pigs were housed individually and had free access to feed and water. The ADFI was measured daily, and animals were weighed weekly. Carcass composition was measured at slaughter (100 kg BW). Increasing ambient temperature from 22 to 29 degrees C resulted in a 15% reduction in ADFI and 13% lower ADG. Leaner carcasses (P < 0.01) were obtained at 29 degrees C (22.8 vs 24.8% carcass fat). At 22 degrees C, ADFI was lower (P < 0.05) for the low-CP diets, but daily NE intake, ADG, and carcass composition were not affected (P > 0.05). At 29 degrees C, ADFI was not different (P > 0.05) between diets and daily NE intake was higher (P < 0.05) with Diet 3 than with Diet 1, and the difference was more important during the finishing period than during the growing period. Using the model ADFI = a BWb, estimates of b were 0.65, 0.53, and 0.53 at 22 degrees C and 0.50, 0.44, and 0.50 at 29 degrees C, for Diets 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The higher NE intake for Diet 3 at 29 degrees C did not improve ADG (P > 0.05) but increased mainly fat deposition. These results indicate that a 4 percentage unit reduction of dietary CP level reduces N excretion (minus 37%) but does not affect growth and carcass composition as long as the ratio between essential AA and NE are kept optimal. In addition, diets with reduced CP limit the effect of high ambient temperature on ADFI. Finally, our results demonstrate the significance of using NE, rather than DE or ME, for formulating diets.     

Effect of carbohydrate source on growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of growing-finishing pigs

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of substituting a more available dietary carbohydrate (CHO) for portions of corn or fat in the diet on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and serum or plasma metabolites in growing-finishing pigs. A three-phase feeding program was used with corn-soybean meal diets formulated to provide 105% of the Lys requirement for barrows or gilts gaining 325 g of lean daily in Exp. 1 or gilts gaining 350 g of lean daily in Exp. 2. Diets were isoenergetic within experiments. All other nutrients met or exceeded suggested requirements. In Exp. 1, pigs were allotted to three dietary treatments (0, 7.5, or 15.0% sucrose), with three replications of barrows and three replications of gilts, and with three or four pigs per replicate pen; average initial and final BW were 25.2 and 106.7 kg. In Exp. 2, gilts were allotted to two dietary treatments (waxy [high amylopectin] or nonwaxy [75% amylopectin and 25% amylose] corn as the grain source), with five replications of four gilts per replicate pen; average initial and final BW were 37.7 and 100.0 kg. In Exp. 1, ADG and gain:feed ratio increased linearly (P < 0.02) as dietary sucrose increased. Minolta color scores, a* and b*, and drip loss (P < 0.06) also increased linearly with added sucrose. In Exp. 2, ADG, carcass weight and length, and the Minolta a* value were greater for pigs fed waxy corn (P < 0.08) than for those fed nonwaxy corn. Feed intake, longissimus muscle area, 10th-rib and average backfat thickness, dressing percentage, fat-free lean, percentage of lean and muscling, lean gain per day, total fat, percentage fat, lean:fat ratio, serum or plasma metabolites (Exp. 1: serum urea N; Exp. 2: serum urea N, and plasma nonesterified fatty acids, triacylglycerols, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, insulin, and total protein), pH of the longissimus muscle, and subjective muscle scores (color, firmness-wetness, and marbling) were not affected by diet in either experiment. In summary, increasing availability of dietary CHO in growing-finishing pig diets improved growth performance, but it did not affect carcass traits.     

DDGS对生长育成猪的生产性能及胴体品质的影响

本试验旨在研究DDGS对生长育成猪的生产性能和胴体品质的影响。432头体重为29.8±0.2kg的育成猪被随机分成1-9个日粮组,分别为对照组（D0）,D15-0wk,D15-3wk,D15-6wk,D15-9wk,D30-0wk,D30-3wk,D30-6wk和D30-9wk,其中D0、D15和D30分别代表DDGS在猪日粮中的百分含量;0wk、3wk、6wk和9wk代表在屠宰0、3、6和9周前分别取消DDGS在猪日粮的添加时间。结果显示,当生长育成猪日粮中的DDGS含量为15%或30%时,不管屠宰前是否取消DDGS的添加,除了D30-0wk处理组的猪的ADG比对照组（D0）稍降外（0.87：0.92kg/d;P〈0.05）,其他处理组猪的ADG、ADFI和G：F均没有显著差异（P=0.76）。DDGS的不同含量或屠宰前取消DDGS的添加时间（0周、3周、6周和9周）对猪胴体质量、背最长肌（LM）猪肉品质、背脂和腹脂颜色评分分数没有显著影响（背脂,P=0.47;腹脂,P=0.17）。相对对照组,D30-0wk组的腹部猪肉嫩度稍低（P=0.04）,其他处理组猪的腹部猪肉嫩度与对照组的差别均不大（P=0.26）。当增加猪日粮中的DDGS含量时,腹脂的亚油酸含量（C18：2;P〈0.001）和碘值（IV;P〈0.001）有所增加。当猪日粮中含有15%DDGS时,在屠宰前的0～9周取消DDGS添加可以线性的降低猪腹脂的C18：2含量和腹脂碘值（屠宰前的第0-、3-、6-和9周的腹脂C18：2含量分别为：14.6%、13.3%、12.6%、10.9%;P=0.001;碘值分别为：67.3、64.4、64.1和62.7）;而当猪的日粮中含有30%DDGS时,在屠宰前0～9周取消DDGS的添加也可以线性的降低猪腹脂的C18：2含量和腹脂碘值（屠宰前的第0-、3-、6-和9周的腹脂C18：2含量分别为：17.3%、16.1%、14.2%和12.4%;P〈0.001;碘值分别为：71.2、68.2、64.5和62.7）。总体来看,当在生长育肥猪中添加高达30%DDGS对猪的生产性能有极小影响,且在屠宰前的3周取消在猪日粮中的DDGS的添加可以降低猪腹脂的C18：2含量和碘值。     

Effect of dietary protein fluctuations and space allocation on performance and carcass quality of growing-finishing pigs

Two trials with growing-finishing pigs were conducted to evaluate the effects of fluctuating dietary CP levels and/or space allocation on performance and carcass traits. In Trial 1, three CP regimens were used with 216 growing-finishing pigs (mixed sex). Average initial and final weights of pigs were 31 and 103 kg, respectively. The CP regimens consisted of: 1) control (18% CP from wk 0 to 4; 15% CP from wk 4 to 12); 2) moderate CP variations (MCPV = 19.5% CP from wk 0 to 2, 16.5% CP from wk 2 to 6, 13.5% CP from wk 6 to 8, 16.5% CP from wk 8 to 10, 13.5% CP from wk 10 to 12); and 3) extreme CP variations (ECPV = 21% CP from wk 0 to 2, 15% CP from wk 2 to 4, 18% CP from wk 4 to 6, 12% CP from wk 6 to 8, 18% CP from wk 8 to 10, 12% CP from wk 10 to 12). Overall (wk 0 to 12), treatment differences were not observed (P > 0.05) for gain, feed intake, CP intake, gain:feed ratio, or gain/CP intake. Trial 2 involved 360 finishing pigs (mixed sex) in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement (three dietary CP regimens, two floor space allowances). The diets consisted of: 1) control (16% CP from wk 0 to 4, 15% CP from wk 4 to 8; 14% CP from wk 8 to 12); 2) MCPV (17.5% CP from wk 0 to 2, 14.5% CP from wk 2 to 4, 16.5% CP from wk 4 to 6, 13.5% CP from wk 6 to 8, 15.5% CP from wk 8 to 10, 12.5% CP from wk 10 to 12); and 3) ECPV (19% CP from wk 0 to 2, 13% CP from wk 2 to 4, 18% CP from wk 4 to 6, 12% CP from wk 6 to 8, 17% CP from wk 8 to 10 wk, 11% CP from wk 10 to 12). Pigs were provided with either 1.12 m2 (uncrowded; five pigs/pen) or 0.56 m2 (crowded; 10 pigs/pen). Average initial weight was 49 kg and final weights were 126 kg (uncrowded) and 118 kg (crowded). Overall (0 to 12 wk), crowded pigs had lower (P < 0.05) ADG (822 vs. 916 g) and feed (as-fed) intakes (2,633 vs. 2,876 g) than uncrowded pigs. At the end of the 12-wk trial, a control vs. ECPV x space interaction (P < 0.05) occurred for weight gain, fat depth, and percentage of lean. Thus, uncrowded pigs fed ECPV gained faster (933 vs. 887 g) but had a lower percentage of lean (53.5 vs. 54.5) than controls, whereas crowded pigs on the ECPV regimen gained more slowly (812 vs. 842 g) but were leaner (54.8 vs. 54.6%) than those on the control CP regimen. Despite the wide dietary CP fluctuations, pigs in both trials consumed about the same quantity of CP during the 12-wk feeding periods. These data suggest that uncrowded pigs respond differently than crowded pigs to fluctuating levels of dietary CP.     

Degree of competition at feeding differentially affects behavior and performance of group-housed growing-finishing pigs of different relative weights

The effect of competition at feeding on specific categories of growing-finishing pigs was studied in order to provide an explanation for the increased variation in performance within pens previously seen in highly competitive feeding environments. Individual feed intake and feeding behavior, performance, and health were compared for relatively small, medium, and large pigs in pens of 16. Pens contained either one or two dry feeders during a period of ad libitum eating followed by a period of restricted feeding. Computerized feeders that registered the time and amount of feed consumed by each individual were used. Seven replicate groups on each of the two treatments (a total of 224 pigs) were studied. In the pens with only one feeder, the small pigs ate less (P < 0.05) and tended to have a lower daily weight gain (P < 0.10) than the small pigs in pens with two feeders. However, they had a better feed conversion efficiency (P < 0.05). The small pigs also had a different eating pattern. A considerably larger part of their daily feed intake was consumed during the nighttime hours (P < 0.001) when only one feeder was available rather than two feeders. The large pigs ate more during the restricted period (P < 0.01) and had a lower carcass meat percentage (P < 0.05) in the pens with one feeder. Some differences in feeding behavior between the two levels of competition were seen for all categories of pigs. No difference in health was observed between pigs in the one- and two-feeder pens for any size category of pigs. In conclusion, the inability of the small pigs to get access to feed in combination with overeating by the largest individuals caused the variation in performance seen within pens with a high level of competition at feeding (one feeder for 16 pigs). From a welfare point of view, feeding systems causing a high level of competition may be detrimental when considering all individual pigs in pens, even when it is possible to achieve acceptable production results on average.     

Effect of dietary L-carnitine on growth performance and body composition in nursery and growing-finishing pigs.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of dietary L-carnitine on growth performance and carcass composition of nursery and growing-finishing pigs. In Exp. 1,216 weanling pigs (initially 4.9 kg and 19 to 23 d of age) were used in a 35-d growth trial. Pigs were blocked by weight in a randomized complete block design (six pigs per pen and six pens per treatment). Four barrows and four gilts were used to determine initial carcass composition. L-Carnitine replaced ground corn in the control diets to provide 250, 500, 750, 1,000, or 1,250 ppm. On d 35, three barrows and three gilts per treatment (one pig/block) were killed to provide carcass compositions. L-Carnitine had no effect (P > 0.10) on growth, percentages of carcass CP and lipid, or daily protein accretion. However, daily lipid accretion tended to decrease and then return to values similar to those for control pigs (quadratic P < 0.10) with increasing dietary L-carnitine. In Exp. 2, 96 crossbred pigs (initially 34.0 kg BW) were used to investigate the effect of increasing dietary L-carnitine in growing-finishing pigs. Pigs (48 barrows and 48 gilts) were blocked by weight and sex in a randomized complete block design (two pigs/pen and eight pens/treatment). Dietary L-carnitine replaced cornstarch in the control diet to provide 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 ppm in grower (34 to 56.7 kg; 1.0% lysine) and finisher (56.7 to 103 kg; 0.80% lysine) diets. At 103 kg, one pig/pen was slaughtered, and standard carcass measurements were obtained. Dietary L-carnitine did not influence growth performance (P > 0.10). However, increasing dietary carnitine decreased average and tenth-rib back-fat (quadratic, P < 0.10 and 0.05), and increased percentage lean and daily CP accretion rate (quadratic, P < 0.05). Break point analysis projected the optimal dosage to be between 49 and 64 ppm of L-carnitine for these carcass traits. It is concluded that dietary carnitine fed during the nursery or growing-finishing phase had no effect on growth performance; however, feeding 49 to 64 ppm of L-carnitine during the growing-finishing phase increased CP accretion and decreased tenth-rib backfat.     

半胱胺对猪十二指肠内容物中消化酶活性和生产性能的影响

在日粮中添加半胱胺 (CysteamineCS)可降低生长抑制激素活性 ,促进动物生长。Leehongsik(1 999)报道 ,半胱胺能显著提高大鼠胰脏的胰液分泌量 ,并提高胰液中蛋白质含量。由于十二指肠内容物消化酶主要是由胰腺分泌 ,本试验以日粮中添加半胱胺研究对十二指肠内容物中总蛋白酶、脂肪酶和淀粉酶的活性影响和半胱胺对猪胰腺分泌的影响 ,并研究在日粮中添加半胱胺对生长肥育猪生产性能的影响。1　材料与方法1 1　包被处理半胱胺　经抗氧化包囊处理 ,半胱胺含量为 30 %。1 2　基础日粮　试验基础日粮的原料组成和营养水平见表 1。1 3　饲养试…     

吡啶羧酸铬对生长肥育猪生产性能、胴体性状及血清生化指标的影响

本试验选用 40头体重约 2 8kg的杜× (大×长 )三元杂交猪 ,随机分为 4组 ,分别饲喂添加0、2 0 0、 40 0、 60 0 μg/kg铬 (吡啶羧酸铬 )的玉米—豆粕型饲粮 (生长、肥育期粗蛋白水平分别为1 7 0 %、 1 5 0 % ) ,直至体重约 95kg左右结束。结果表明 ,铬水平对生长期 (约 2 8～ 60kg)日增重、采食量、料重比无显著影响 ,也不影响血清钙、镁、钾、钠、氯、尿素氮浓度。虽然肥育阶段 (约 60～ 95kg) 40 0 μg/kg铬组的日增重和 60 0 μg/kg铬组的日增重、饲料转化效率有降低趋势 ,但各组间日增重、料重比、采食量差异不显著。铬不影响肥育猪血清镁、钾、钠、尿素氮浓度 ,但对氯、钙浓度有影响 (P <0 0 5 )。纵观全期来看 ,铬不影响生长肥育猪全期的生产性能 (P >0 0 5 )。虽然 60 0 μg/kg铬组有增加瘦肉率、降低脂肪率的趋势 ,但肥育猪各组间胴体性状无显著差别。以上结果提示 ,在本试验条件下 ,添加 2 0 0～ 60 0 μg/kg铬 (吡啶羧酸铬 )对生长肥育猪生产性能和胴体性状无显著影响。     

能量和蛋白来源对生长育肥猪生长性能、胴体性状和肉质的影响

试验旨在探讨饲粮能量和蛋白来源对育肥猪生长性能、养分消化率、血清生化指标、胴体性状以及肉质的影响。试验采用2×2因子试验设计,选取DLY育肥猪60头[平均体重(81±7.89) kg],随机分为4个处理,每个处理5个重复,每个重复3头猪。饲粮能量来源包括玉米和小麦,饲粮蛋白来源包括豆粕和菜粕。4个处理分别饲喂玉米-豆粕型、玉米-菜粕型、小麦-豆粕型、小麦-菜粕型饲粮,试验期28 d。结果表明:①4种饲粮对猪平均日采食量和平均日增重无显著影响(P0.05),但玉米豆粕组的料重比显著低于其余3组(P0.05)。②能量和蛋白来源显著影响养分的消化率。与小麦饲粮相比,玉米饲粮极显著提高了粗脂肪、干物质、灰分、钙和磷的消化率以及能量的利用率(P0.01);与豆粕饲粮相比,菜粕饲粮极显著提高了钙、磷的消化率和能量的利用率(P0.01),显著提高了干物质的消化率(P0.05)。③与豆粕饲粮相比,菜粕饲粮极显著提高了猪血清尿素氮的含量(P0.01);与小麦饲粮相比,玉米饲粮显著提高了猪血清总蛋白水平,显著降低了胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ水平。④玉米豆粕组的眼肌面积显著高于玉米菜粕组(P0.05);与玉米菜粕组相比,小麦菜粕组显著降低了肌肉的蒸煮损失(P0.05),显著提高了肌内脂肪含量(P0.05)。由此可见,4种饲粮对育肥猪的生长性能无显著影响,但显著影响猪养分的表观消化率,且对育肥猪胴体性状、肉质有一定的影响。     

大豆黄酮和半胱胺对生长肥育猪生长性能的影响

本试验研究了半胱胺(CS)和大豆黄酮(Da)对杜×长×大生长肥育猪生长性能和胴体性状的影响,结果表明:这两种物质均具有显著促进猪生长作用,且在猪生长期的促生长效果好于肥育期.二者能提高胴体瘦肉率4%以上,脂肪率下降9%.     

Response of growing-finishing pigs to decreasing floor space allowance and(or) virginiamycin in diet

Five hundred forty crossbred pigs were utilized in four trials (10 replications) at two stations to determine the separate and interacting effects of decreasing floor space allowance with or without the addition of virginiamycin to the diet on performance of growing-finishing pigs. Pigs were allowed .37, .33 or .28 m2/pig during the growing phase (23 to 55 kg) and .74, .66, .56 m2/pig during the finishing phase (55 to 100 kg) and fed either a corn-soybean meal control diet or the control diet plus 11 mg of virginiamycin/kg of diet. Floor space allowances were achieved by varying pen size, so the number of pigs and feeder space per pig were constant for all pens. During the growing phase, daily gain (P less than .01) daily feed intake (P less than .05) and feed conversion ratio (P less than .05) decreased as floor space allowance decreased. During the finishing phase and for the total test period, daily gain (P less than .01) and feed conversion ratio (P less than .05) were reduced but daily feed intake was not affected (P greater than .05) by restricted floor space allowance. The addition of virginiamycin to the diet had no effect on pig performance. The virginiamycin X floor space allowance interaction was not significant, suggesting that pigs fed a diet with or without virginiamycin responded similarly to restricted floor space allowance. The data suggest that the addition of virginiamycin to the diet was ineffective in overcoming the decrease in performance of growing-finishing pigs caused by crowded conditions.     

Effect of dietary formates on growth performance, carcass traits, sensory quality, intestinal microflora, and stomach alterations in growing-finishing pigs

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of adding salts of formic acid to diets for growing-finishing pigs. In Exp. 1, 72 pigs (23.1 kg and 104.5 kg initial and final BW) were used to evaluate the effect of Ca/Na-formate and K-diformate on performance and carcass traits. Treatments were organized in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement with two feeding regimens (limit and semi-ad libitum feeding) and three diets (control, .85% Ca/Na-formate, and .8% K-diformate). No significant feeding regime x diet interaction was found. The K-diformate diet increased overall ADG of pigs compared with the control and Ca/Na-formate diets, but had no effect on ADFI or gain/feed (G/F) ratio. Neither K-diformate nor Ca/Na-formate had any effect on carcass lean or fat content. In Exp. 2, 10 limit-fed pigs (24.3 kg and 85.1 kg initial and final BW) were used to study the effect of K-diformate on performance and sensory quality of pork. Adding .8% K-diformate to diets increased ADG (P < .13) and G/F (P < .04), but had no effect on sensory quality of the pork or content of formate in liver, kidney, or muscle tissue of pigs. In Exp. 3, 96 limit-fed pigs (27.1 kg and 105 kg initial and final BW) were used to determine the effect of adding K-diformate to diets on performance, carcass traits, and stomach keratinization and(or) lesions. Adding K-diformate (0, .6, or 1.2%) to diets increased ADG and ADFI (linear P < .01). The K-diformate reduced the percentage of carcass fat (linear P < .03) and fat area in the cutlet (linear P < .09) and increased percentage lean in the ham (linear P < .01), flank (linear P < .02), loin (linear P < .09), and neck and shoulder (linear P < .09). The K-diformate had no negative effect on stomach alterations. In Exp. 3, the concentration of coliform bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract was evaluated in eight control and eight 1.2% K-diformate-fed pigs. The K-diformate reduced the number of coliforms in the duodenum (P < .03), jejunum (P < .02), and rectum (P < .10) of pigs. In conclusion, K-diformate improved growth performance and carcass quality of growing-finishing pigs, whereas Ca/Na-formate had no effect. K-diformate had no adverse effect on sensory quality of pork or on stomach alteration scores.     

Effect of dietary fluorine on growth, blood and bone characteristics of growing-finishing pigs

Three hundred eighty-four growing-finishing pigs were used in two experiments to determine the effect of dietary fluorine (F) on growth, blood and bone physical characteristics. Fourteen dietary treatments were formulated by supplementing F (as NaF) to a milo-soybean meal basal diet (7 ppm F) to provide levels of 7, 132, 257, 382, 507 and 632 ppm F for Exp. 1, and 7, 25, 43, 61, 79, 97, 115 and 133 ppm F for Exp. 2. Average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were not affected (P greater than .09) when F was fed at levels between 7 and approximately 132 ppm. Average daily gain and ADFI were reduced (P less than .0001) for pigs consuming diets with F concentrations greater than 132 ppm (Exp. 1). Feed conversion was not affected (P greater than .17) by any level of F fed. Serum F and alkaline phosphatase concentrations increased (P less than .01) with increasing dietary F levels. Serum and bone Ca and P concentrations were not affected (P greater than .13) by dietary F levels (Exp. 1). In Exp. 1 and 2, bone F increased (P less than .0001) and metatarsal stress and modulus of elasticity decreased (P less than .0001) as level of F increased in the diet. Bone thickness decreased quadratically (P less than .02) in Exp. 1 and linearly (P less than .0007) in Exp. 2 with increased dietary F levels. Scanning electron microscopy showed an increase in porosity of bones from pigs fed the higher levels of F. Growing-finishing pigs were able to tolerate approximately 132 ppm F for growth, but all of the F levels (greater than or equal to 7 ppm) fed in these two experiments affected bone integrity.     

Effect of a Bacillus-based direct-fed microbial feed supplement on growth performance and pen cleaning characteristics of growing-finishing pigs

A direct-fed microbial (DFM) based on a combination of Bacillus organisms specifically selected to increase the manure decomposition process was evaluated to determine its efficacy for improving growth performance and manure dissolution time. Three experiments involving 336 crossbred barrows and gilts were conducted to determine the effect of the Bacillus-based direct-fed microbial on growth performance and pen cleaning time. In each experiment, 2 dietary treatments (0 and 0.05% DFM) were fed during the growing-finishing period throughout the experiment, such that the DFM provided 1.47 x 10(8) cfu of Bacillus organisms per gram of supplement. Data from the 3 experiments were combined for analysis, such that there were 28 pens representing each of the 2 treatments. Pigs were weighed and feed intake was determined at the initiation and termination of each phase (starter, grower, and finisher). At the end of Exp. 1 and 3, pen cleaning time was determined by measuring the time required for each pen to be scraped and washed with a high-pressure sprayer. Additionally, 2 solid manure mat samples weighing approximately 4 g each were collected from solid manure buildup in each pen (16 pens/treatment), and the time required to completely disperse each manure mat sample was determined. Gain:feed improved (P < 0.05) in pigs fed Bacillus compared with the control diet during the finisher phase and throughout the combined growing-finishing period. The time required to dissolve the manure mat was reduced (P < 0.01) in samples collected from pens containing pigs fed Bacillus compared with samples from control pens. An additional evaluation was conducted in a commercial swine production facility using statistical process control analysis. Statistical process control analysis determined that supplementation with Bacillus increased the expected mean for ADG and decreased the expected mean for death loss percentage. Supplementation with a DFM composed of specifically selected Bacillus organisms improved G:F and decreased the time required to disperse a swine manure mat sample in a controlled study conducted at swine research facilities. Furthermore, when evaluated in a commercial swine production facility, the Bacillus-based DFM improved ADG and reduced mortality of pigs during the growing-finishing period.     

The performance of growing-finishing pigs on complete rations incorporating locally available feedingstuffs

Summary Forty crossbred weanling piglets were used to evaluate their performance on four different growing and finishing rations embodying largely locally available feed ingredients. A widely used proprietary ration served as a control. The overall performance in terms of the parameters measured was best in the control pigs. However, the treatment 3 group demonstrated the highest economic potential in terms of cost per kg liveweight gain of 74 cents compared with 76 cents for the control group. The significance of reducing the cost of production by maximising the utilisation of locally available feed ingredients is emphasised.

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Sumario Cuarenta lechones cruzados y destetados fueron utilizades para evaluar su rendimiento cuando fueron alimentados con cuatro raciones distintas de crecimiento y acabado, que contenían en su mayoría ingredientes alimenticios obtenidos en la localidad. Una ración comercial ampliamente usada, sirvió como control. El rendimiento general en términos de los parámetros medidos fue mejor en los lechones controles. Sin embargo el grupo 3 de tratamiento demostró el mas alto potencial económico en términos de costo pro kg de peso vivo ganado y que fue de 74 centavos comparado con 76 centavos para el grupo control. El significado de reducir el costo de producción mediante el incremento en la utilización de ingredientes alimenticios de obtención local es enfatizado.

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Résumé Quarante porcelets metis sevrès ont été utilisés pour étude des performances réalisées par utilisation de différent modèles de ration de croissance et d'engraissement comportent d'importante quantité de denrées alimentaires locales. Une ration déjà largement utilisée a servi de témoin. Au niveau des paramètres étudiés les performances les meilleurs ont été constatées chez les porcelets recevant la ration témoin. Cependant l'observation a montré que les rations expérimentales étaient largement économiques puisque permettant d'obtenir un gain d'un kilo de poids vif pour 74 cents alors qu'il en à couté 76 pour les animaux témoins. L'incidence économique de la réduction du prix de revient en utilisant au maximum les denrées alimentaires d'origine locale est étudiée.

     

Effect of feeding regimen on behavior of growing-finishing pigs supplemented or not supplemented with folic acid.

The effect of restricted feeding on the frequency of abnormal behaviors and gastric ulcers was investigated in 72 market pigs. Half of the pigs were fed restricted (R) amounts of feed twice a day (0800 and 1600) and received 90 to 95% of the intake recorded for the other half, which were allowed ad libitum (A) access to feed with addition of feed once a day at 0800. In each feeding group, 24 pigs were supplemented with folic acid. The animals were housed in pairs and the behavior of each animal was recorded during 24 h at 18 and 20 wk of age. The results showed that the A group ate more frequently during light hours than the R group at 18 wk, but not at 20 wk. However, the frequency of eating behavior was higher in the R group than in the A group at 20 wk during the 2 h after feed distribution. Feeding regimen had an effect on the frequency of redirected behaviors during the 2 h preceding feed distribution. The percentage of time spent nibbling on the penmate was higher in R than in A pigs at 18 wk, whereas that of rooting on the penmate was higher at 20 wk. Moreover, the proportion of pigs performing redirected behaviors was higher in the R than in the A group at both ages. The overall frequency of gastric ulcers was similar in pigs given the two feeding treatments, but severe ulcers were more frequent in the R than in the A group. Some interactions were also found between feeding regimen and folic acid.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)