A multi-population survey on swine feeding behavior with electronic feeding devices
In this study, we used electronic feeding station observations of pigs to investigate their growth performance and feeding behavior. These pigs were raised in Xinda Livestock Company Ltd. in Henan, China, and followed the Chinese directive for the protection of farm animals. Electronic feeding stati...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2016-11-01
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| Series: | Archives Animal Breeding |
| Online Access: | http://www.arch-anim-breed.net/59/445/2016/aab-59-445-2016.pdf |
| Summary: | In this study, we used electronic feeding station observations of pigs to
investigate their growth performance and feeding behavior. These pigs were
raised in Xinda Livestock Company Ltd. in Henan, China, and followed the
Chinese directive for the protection of farm animals. Electronic feeding
stations are often used in pig breeding and for identifying loci associated
with feed consumption. Moreover, they can also provide much valuable
information on pig behavior that could be directly used to improve production
efficiency. This study involves three different pig population feeding-intake
data from 383 Yorkshire, 243 Landrace and 197 Duroc breeds to investigate
their growth performance and feeding behavior. Similar patterns of growth
performance (slow–fast–slow) were observed in the three breeds, while the
Duroc have a slightly faster average growth rate throughout the whole test
period. Study of the number of visits to the feeding station over 24 h
detected two peaks of feeding intake activity at 08:00–09:00 and
14:00–15:00. During these two peak
feeding times, lower feed intake and less occupation time were observed,
implicating fiercer competition at these time periods. The effective intake
time for Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire populations was 19, 16 and 19 min,
respectively, suggesting that the ultimate feed intake time for each
individual can be set up to 20 min for each visit. Studies on the ADFI
(average daily feed intake) showed a significant difference
(<i>P</i> value = 0.000009) between seasons and consistent patterns for these
three breeds. The present study provides a detailed survey on pig feed intake
behaviors across different populations and feeding seasons. |
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| ISSN: | 0003-9438 2363-9822 |