Determining the effect of restricted feed intake on developing pigs weighing between 150 and 250 lb, fed two or six times daily (2006)

Authors

J D. Schneider
Michael D. Tokach
Robert D. Goodband
Jim L. Nelssen
Joel M. DeRouchey
Steven S. Dritz

Keywords

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station contribution; no. 08-83-S; Swine day, 2006; Report of progress (Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service); 966; Pigs; Feeding frequency; Restricted intake; Swine

Abstract

Two 42-d studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of restricted feed intake and feeding frequency on the performance of pigs weighing from 150 to 250 lb (initially 148 lb in Exp. 1 and 155 lb in Exp. 2). Our objective was to use the limit-fed finishing pig as a model for gestating sows who are also limit fed. In both experiments, pigs were housed in a 6 ×10 ft pen with half solid cement and half slatted flooring, and with one nipple waterer. The diet consisted of a diet based on cornsoybean meal, formulated to 1.15% TID lysine (1.29% total lysine) and 1,494 kcal of ME/lb. Energy and lysine were supplied to pigs to target an average growth rate of 1.75 lb/d, based on NRC (1998) values. Pigs were fed by dropping similar amounts of feed, either 2 or 6 times per day, by an Accu-Drop Feed Dispenser (AP Systems, Assumption, IL) on the solid cement flooring with ad libitum access to water. In Exp. 1, there was an increase (P<0.01) in ADG and a decrease (P<0.02) in F/G for pigs fed similar amounts of feed 6 times per day, compared with pigs fed 2 times per day. In Exp. 2, increasing the feeding frequency of pigs fed a restricted diet from 2 to 6 times per day improved ADG (P<0.02) and F/G (P<0.03). These studies indicate that increasing the frequency of feeding may improve the metabolic efficiency of the growing pig fed a restricted diet. More research is needed to determine whether the greater gain is due to improved efficiency or whether there is another reason, such as a decrease in feed wastage.; Swine Day, 2006, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 2006

Recommended Citation

Schneider, J D.; Tokach, Michael D.; Goodband, Robert D.; Nelssen, Jim L.; DeRouchey, Joel M.; and Dritz, Steven S. (2006) "Determining the effect of restricted feed intake on developing pigs weighing between 150 and 250 lb, fed two or six times daily (2006)," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 0: Iss. 10. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.6984