0
From d 0 to 91, no diet form x feeder design interactions were observed for ADG. Pigs fed pelleted diets had a tendency for improved (P < 0.07) ADG compared to those given meal diets. In addition, pigs fed with wet-dry feeders had improved (P < 0.01) ADG compared to those with conventional dry feeders. A diet form x feeder design interaction was observed (P < 0.04) for ADFI. When using a wet-dry feeder, pigs given meal diets had similar ADFI as those fed pelleted diets. However, when using dry feeders, pigs given pelleted diets had a much greater ADFI than pigs fed meal diets. In addition, a diet form x feeder design interaction was observed for F/G. Pigs fed both meal and pelleted diets via wet-dry feeders had similar F/G, but pigs fed pelleted diets in a conventional dry feeder had poorer F/G compared to pigs given meal diets in a conventional dry feeder. The pellets used during this experiment had average percentage fines of 35.1 ± 19% and an average pellet durability index (PDI) of 75.8 ± 8.4.
We attribute the interactions to the poor pellet quality, leading to more feed wastage from the dry feeders. It is suggested that pellet quality is important to decrease feed wastage and sorting by the pigs and to optimize growth performance.
AJ Myers, JR Bergstrom, MD Tokach, SS Dritz, RD Goodband, JM DeRouchey, and JL Nelssen, 2010. Swine day, Kansas State University, Report progress 1038: 209-215.
