scholarly journals Group-Adapted ad Libitum Feeding vs. Conventional Restrictive Feeding: Impact on Health, Behavior, and Reproductive Performance of Group-Housed Pregnant Sows

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Angermann ◽  
Monika Wensch-Dorendorf ◽  
Stephanie Frenking ◽  
Nicole Kemper ◽  
Eberhard von Borell
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Group Size ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Feeding System ◽  
Liquid Feeding ◽  
Whole Plant ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Ad Libitum Feeding

Abstract BackgroundCommon feeding systems for pregnant group-housed sows meet the nutritional demand but do not sufficiently consider their natural feeding behavior. A new group-adapted ad libitum feeding system called “SWOF” (Hölscher + Leuschner GmbH & Co. KG®, Emsbüren, Germany) was developed to ensure that both optimal nutritional and behavioral needs are met. This feeding system comprises an activity and lying area and two areas with ad libitum liquid feeding on the basis of whole plant wheat silage. Passing through a sorting gate, sows could be given either a low- or high-energy diet according to their weight and parity. The study’s aim was to investigate the effects of this new system on sows’ body weight, health status (lameness), aggression parameters (integument injuries, vulva injuries, displacements at the trough), feed intake rhythm, and litter performance, and to compare these with restrictively fed group-housed sows, which is the common standard in Germany. ResultsIn the group-adapted ad libitum feeding system, significantly less risk for displacements at the trough and vulva injuries were observed, and sows followed their natural biphasic feed intake rhythm. This system also resulted in lower body weight and more integument injuries than the restrictively fed group-housed sows. However, these might be due to different management practices and group size between the two systems. No influence of the feeding system was observed, neither on lameness nor litter performance. ConclusionThe data reported here show the promising effects of the group-adapted ad libitum “SWOF” feeding system with regard to animal welfare, as sows can freely choose when and how much feed they want to consume without taking the risk of over conditioning. The “SWOF” feeding system remains to be further validated, also considering the group size and management practices.

scholarly journals Development of a Group-Adapted Housing System for Pregnant Sows: A Field Study on Performance and Welfare Aspects

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Eva Angermann ◽  
Camille M. C. Raoult ◽  
Monika Wensch-Dorendorf ◽  
Stephanie Frenking ◽  
Nicole Kemper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Field Study ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Liquid Feeding ◽  
Behavioral Needs ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Dry Diet ◽  
Functional Areas

A Sow-Welfare-Optimized-Feeding (SWOF) system with group-adapted ad libitum liquid feeding was developed to ensure that both optimal nutritional and behavioral needs are met in group-housed pregnant sows. This system comprises functional areas and allows sows to have either a low- or high-energy diet according to their current weight in relation to their parity. This field study aimed to investigate how this new system influences sows’ body weight, health status (lameness), aggression parameters (integument injuries, vulva injuries, and displacements at the trough), feed intake rhythm, and litter performance. In parallel, these parameters were also recorded in the existing system (group-housed sows restrictively fed a dry diet). In the SWOF system, the probability of displacements at the trough and occurrence of vulva injuries were reduced, whereas sows could follow a natural biphasic feed intake rhythm. Though lameness scores and litter performance were not affected, lower body weights and more integument injuries were, however, observed. Yet, results can only partially be attributed to the feeding system per se due to confounding effects such as management practices and group size differences (larger dynamic group vs. stable group). Hence, the SWOF system seems promising with regard to animal welfare but remains to be further validated.

Effects of diet density and environmental temperature on performance and carcass quality of pigs fed ad libitum to bacon weight

1987 ◽  
Vol 1987 ◽  
pp. 10-10
Author(s):  
S.A. Edwards ◽  
A.W. Armsby ◽  
H.H. Spechter
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Environmental Temperature ◽  
Growing Pigs ◽  
Feeding System ◽  
Voluntary Feed Intake ◽  
Nutrient Density ◽  
High Feed ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Ad Libitum Feeding

Ad libitum feeding from hoppers offers a simple system for feeding growing pigs and maximises liveweight gain. High feed intake in the later stages of production often results in excessive backfat deposition, making it difficult to achieve optimum carcass gradings with pigs kept to bacon weight. Both nutrient density of the diet and ambient temperature may influence voluntary feed intake. This experiment investigated the extent to which these factors could be used under commercial conditions to manipulate growth rate and fat deposition of pigs on an ad libitum feeding system.

Variation in feed intake as a cause of variation in wool production of grazing sheep

1960 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 585 ◽  
Author(s):  
PG Schinckel
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
High Group ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Unit Body Weight ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Grazing Sheep ◽  
Ad Libitum Feeding

Observations were made to determine whether differences between sheep in wool production under field grazing conditions reflected differences between individuals in feed intake. Sheep were selected for high, intermediate, and low levels of clean wool weight per unit body weight under field grazing conditions, and the feed intakes and wool production of these sheep were subsequently measured under pen conditions. On controlled feed intakes differences between sheep and between groups were less than those under field grazing conditions or under ad libitum pen feeding conditions. It was concluded that a, significant portion of the differences in wool production at grazing was referable to differences in feed intake. The group of sheep having high levels of wool production per unit body weight were found to have higher efficiency of conversion of feed to wool and also to have higher levels of feed intake under ad libitum feeding conditions. The rate of wool production of the high group was 22 per cent. greater than that of the low group under conditions of equal feed intake and 37 per cent. greater under conditions of ad libitum feed intake.

scholarly journals Effects of Using Farm-Grown Forage as a Component in ad Libitum Liquid Feeding for Pregnant Sows in Group-Housing on Body Condition Development and Performance

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 13506
Author(s):  
Clara Berenike Hartung ◽  
Stephanie Frenking ◽  
Bussarakam Chuppava ◽  
Friederike von und zur Mühlen ◽  
Josef Kamphues ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Feeding System ◽  
Liquid Feeding ◽  
Comparable Performance ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
And Performance ◽  
On Farm

When feeding pregnant sows, optimal body condition at birth is sought to avoid the effects of a deviant nutritional condition on health and performance. Various feeding concepts exist but mainly have a restriction in quantity and renunciation of farm-grown forage in common. An ad libitum liquid feeding system based on farm-grown forage in combination with a sow sorting gate (according to body weight—using mechanical scales) was realized on a commercial swine farm. The sorting gate coordinated access to two feeding areas with rations based on whole plant wheat-silage (WPWS) differing in energy content. In this study with a total of 183 pregnant sows, effects of restrictive dry feeding (System I) were compared with ad libitum liquid feeding based on farm-grown forage (System II). Sows were monitored regarding body condition development during pregnancy by measuring body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW), and back fat thickness (BFT) on different time points. Sow and piglet health (vaginal injuries of sows, rectal temperature during the peripartal period, vitality of newborn piglets) and performance data regarding litter characteristics were also recorded. Body condition development of the sows was absolutely comparable. Performance indicators and the course of birth were also similar but with significantly higher scores for piglet vitality in System II (p < 0.05). The tested concept offers opportunities for more animal welfare and sustainability but remains to be further investigated regarding the repertoire of possibly applied farm-grown forage and the effects of the concept in the transit phase of sows.

scholarly journals Short-term consequences of a sudden increase in feed allowance in broiler breeder hens

1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 159-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. E. Robinson ◽  
M. W. Yu ◽  
M. E. Lupicki ◽  
R. T. Hardin
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Liver Fat ◽  
Sudden Increase ◽  
Broiler Breeder ◽  
Breeder Hens ◽  
Preovulatory Follicles ◽  
Broiler Breeder Hens ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Ad Libitum Feeding

The immediate effects of a sudden increase in feed allowance on selected morphological and reproductive traits were investigated in broiler breeder hens at 44 wk of age. Fifty Indian River hens were individually caged at 40 wk of age. Prior to 40 wk of age the birds had been feed restricted in accordance with the breeder's recommended feeding program. Five treatment groups (T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5) of 10 birds each were formed based on level of feeding and duration of exposure to such feeding. T1, T2 and T3 birds were feed restricted (128 g of daily feed bird−1) from 40 to 44, 40 to 45 and 40 to 46 wk of age, respectively. T4 and T5 birds were also feed restricted at the same level as the other groups to 44 wk of age and then were full fed from 44 to 45 and 44 to 46 wk of age, respectively. To facilitate study of follicular recruitment and yolk deposition, hens were fed 10 g of oil-soluble red and black dyes, daily, on alternate days, beginning at 42 wk of age. Birds were killed on day 0 (44 wk; T1), day 7 (45 wk; T2, T4), or day 14 (46 wk; T3, T5). Full-fed hens consumed approximately 100 g more feed per day than did feed-restricted hens, with marked increases in feed intake on the first day of full feeding. After 7 d of ad libitum feeding, significant increases were seen in body weight, liver weight, percent liver fat, plasma lipid concentration, ovary weight, and the incidence of a double hierarchy (simultaneous development) of large follicles. After 14 d of ad libitum feeding, significant increases were also observed in absolute fat-pad weight, individual weights of the four largest preovulatory follicles and number of large preovulatory follicles. The increased number of large follicles in the ovary was not associated with any change in egg production. It is apparent that the morphological disruptions associated with overfeeding broiler breeder hens can be identified within 7 d of full feeding, while any effects on egg production are not seen within the first 14 d of ad libitum feeding. Key words: Broiler breeder, feed intake, yolk deposition, ovarian morphology, egg production

Methods of feeding growing pigs to maximise feed intake

1986 ◽  
Vol 1986 ◽  
pp. 128-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.L. Lightfoot ◽  
A.W. Armsby ◽  
C.F. Widdows
Keyword(s):  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Growing Pigs ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Feeding Method ◽  
Genetically Improved ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Ad Libitum Feeding

An experiment was carried out to determine which feeding method maximised feed intake of growing pigs and to record growth rates, feed conversion efficiency and backfat measurements. There is an increasing tendency for dry fed pigs to be fed ad libitum or to appetite in order to increase growth rates and throughput of building.Limited information is available on how the modern genetically improved pig will respond to high levels of feeding and whether ad libitum feeding will encourage higher feed intake than feeding to appetite either wet or dry.

scholarly journals Effects of Replacing Groundnut Cake with Blood Vegetable Waste Meal in the Diets of Weaner Rabbits

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Adedayo Abiodun Adeniji
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Vegetable Waste ◽  
Gain Ratio ◽  
Groundnut Cake ◽  
Ad Libitum

A total of seventy-two weaner rabbits of eight weeks of age were used to assess the effects of replacing groundnut cake (GNC) with blood vegetable waste meal (BVWM) in the diets of rabbits. The BVWM was fed to replace dietary GNC at 0, 15, 30, and 45%, with GNC being 15% in the control diet. The four experimental diets were fed ad libitum for a period of eight weeks. BVWM was analyzed to contain a crude protein value of 62.35%. There were comparable feed intake values by rabbits on all the diets although the rabbits in the higher replacement levels of BVWM tended to have consumed more of the feed. There were significant increases (P<0.05) in body weight gain by rabbits as the BVWM level increased in the diet. Similarly, the feed to gain ratio improved and nitrogen digestibility increased (P<0.05) with higher levels of BVWM in the diet. This study shows that rabbits can tolerate the 45% BVWM replacement of groundnut cake effectively.

The effects on feed intake in weaned calves of low-glucosinolate rapeseed meal as the sole protein supplement

1990 ◽  
Vol 1990 ◽  
pp. 141-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isobel C Vincent ◽  
J Thompson ◽  
R Hill
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Rapeseed Meal ◽  
Protein Supplement ◽  
Daily Feeding ◽  
Soyabean Meal ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Ad Libitum Feeding

Concentrate feed with high-glucosinolate rapeseed meal (BRSM) as the sole protein supplement was eaten less readily by weaned calves than a similar feed based on soyabean meal (Stedman et al, 1983), and this was so whether intake was measured during continuous ad libitum feeding, or for short periods, 0.5 h, after twice-daily feeding with changes of feed each day. In these and other experiments with calves (Stedman and Hill, 1987), concentrate feeds based on low-glucosinolate rapeseed meal were eaten more readily than those based on high-glucosinolate meal, but intake of the low-glucosinolate feeds rarely matched that of the corresponding feed containing soyabean meal.

Body weight of rats following area postrema ablation: effect of early force-feeding

1989 ◽  
Vol 256 (4) ◽  
pp. R939-R945
Author(s):  
N. J. Kenney ◽  
J. N. Kott ◽  
N. Tomoyasu ◽  
A. J. Bhatia ◽  
A. S. Ruiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Preliminary Analysis ◽  
Area Postrema ◽  
Solitary Tract ◽  
Milk Diet ◽  
Medial Nucleus ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Force Feeding ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Ad Libitum Feeding

This study examined the effect of intragastric force-feeding of a milk diet on body weights of rats with lesions of the area postrema/caudal medial nucleus of the solitary tract (AP/cmNTS). Force-feeding was conducted over the first 10 days after the ablation. Body weight was monitored both during and after force-feeding. Food intake was measured during all ad libitum feeding periods. During force-feeding, rats with AP/cmNTS lesions gained weight at the same rate as force-fed sham-lesioned rats or sham-lesioned rats that voluntarily ingested an equal amount of the milk. When returned to ad libitum feeding, lesioned rats that had been force-fed were not hypophagic and did not lose weight. Body weights of such rats remained above those of lesioned rats that were not force-fed and similar to those of nonlesioned rats throughout this study. Despite their normal weights, preliminary analysis indicated that body fat of the force-fed lesioned rats may have been reduced. These findings suggest that the effects of AP/cmNTS ablation are multiple and that reduction of body weight need not be the primary effect of such lesions.

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