Comparison of feeding behaviour and performance of weaned pigs given food in two types of dry feeders with integrated drinkers

Abstract

Abstract Performance of 80 (tests 1 and 2) or 60 (tests 3 and 4) weaned pigs were compared when using ‘Tubetype’ feeder (T), allowing the animals to mix meal and drinking water, or another type (V) where drinking and eating places are separated. The difference in growth rate was not significant but the mean daily water consumption (1 per pig per day) was higher with T than with V in each test but significantly only in tests 1 and 3 (1·84 v . 1·40, and 2·11 v . 1·26, P < 0·01). Feeding behaviour was assessed during tests 2 and 4. Multifactor analysis of variance revealed effects ( P < 0·01) of feeder, group size and period of the day on the occupation time and the average number of animals using the feeders simultaneously. These two variables were higher for V than for T (test 2: 23·4 per 24 h v . 21·5 per 24 h and 4·5 v . 3·7, P < 0·05; test 4: 20·0 per 24 h v. 18·2 per 24 h, P < 0·01). In each test, both feeders were used for a longer time and by more piglets during the ‘day’ than during the ‘night’ ( P < 0·01). When grouping 40 pigs, animals used both feeders during almost all the day period (V: 15·9 per 16 h and T: 15·8 per 16 h). During the night period, this was only true with V (V: 7·4 per 8 h; T: 5·8 per 8 h). The use of feeder V in crowded conditions thus prevented preferential diurnal feeding activity, commonly described in pigs. In conclusion, even if productivity is not affected, feeding behaviour and thus eventually welfare are influenced by the type of feeder, especially with high numbers of animals.