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Materials and methods: Weaned pigs were allotted to daily photoperiods of 20 hours and 8 hours of light, respectively, for days 1 to 4 after weaning. Data were obtained from 234 pigs from 12 pens, resulting in n = 6 replicates per treatment. Behavior was observed during the initial 48 hours after weaning and on day 5 (when photoperiod was changed from 20 hours to 8 hours) in the prolonged light exposure group. Feed disappearance was recorded throughout the whole nursery period. Pigs were individually weighed on the day of weaning and at weekly intervals during the 7-week nursery period.
Results: Feed disappearance tended to be higher (P = .09) in the prolonged light exposure group in the initial 24 hours after weaning. Considering the whole nursery period, feed disappearance did not differ between the treatment groups (P = .73). Pigs in the prolonged light exposure group did not gain more weight in the first week after weaning (P = .34). Also considering the entire 7-week nursery period, body weight gain did not differ between the groups (P = .84).
Implications: Feed disappearance on the day after weaning tends to be greater in pigs housed in a prolonged photoperiod. Nevertheless, prolonging the photoperiod during the first 4 days after weaning does not influence feed disappearance or body weight gain over the entire nursery phase.
Reiners K, Hessel EF, Sieling S, et al. Influence of photoperiod on the behavior and performance of newly weaned pigs with a focus on time spent at the feeder, feed disappearance, and growth. J Swine Health Prod. 2010;18(5):230–238.
