0
A high number of CL piglets never visited the feeder during lactation; at T24, 56% of the CL piglets did not visit the feeder. On the other hand, 91% of the ISL and CH piglets and all ISH piglets visited the feeder at least once at T24. In contrast to the other groups, no increase was seen in visiting frequency during lactation in CL piglets. At T24, visiting frequency was higher in ISL than in CL piglets. So, IS stimulated piglets from low feed intake litters to visit the feeder. Between T16 and T24, total feeder time increased in piglets from all groups (P < 0.05), except in CL piglets in which no change was found (P > 0.10). Latency to first visit to the feeder after weaning did not differ between groups.
It is concluded that IS stimulates piglets from litters with a low level of creep feed intake to visit the feeder during lactation, which familiarizes them with the feeder and the feed during lactation. The IS treatment does not affect feeder visiting behaviour of piglets with an anyhow high level of feed intake during lactation.
W.I. Kuller, N. M. Soede, J. E. Bolhuis, H. M.G. van Beers-Schreurs, B. Kemp, J. H.M. Verheijden and M.A.M. Taverne. Intermittent suckling affects feeder visiting behaviour in litters with low feed intake.Livestock Science. 2010. Vol. 127 (2-3): 137-143.
