Evaluation of rearing systems and feed flavours for pigs weaned at two to three weeks of age

Eleven trials with 726 crossbred pigs were made to evaluate conventional nursery with pens (CNP) and triple deck cage system (TDC), for pigs weaned from 15 to 22 days of age. Additionally, several feed flavours were evaluated in 7 of the trials. The performance of 3 against 6 pigs per cage was compared in TDC, and the use of supplemental heat and comparison of feeders with small against large capacity was made in CNP. A maize and soya bean starting diet with 22% crude protein and containing 10% dried whey was given until pigs weighed about 7 kg after which a similar diet with 20% protein was given. During the first week pigs in TDC ate more and grew faster than pigs in CNP with no difference in feed conversion. During the whole period there was no significant difference in feed intake or daily gain between pigs in TDC and CNP. Feed for unit gain was less for CNP which may have been a result of some feed waste in TDC. Feed intake and daily gain were less during the first week for the pigs weaned from 15 to 17 days old than for pigs weaned from 19 to 22 days with the poorest performance for the earlier-weaned pigs in CNP. When pigs weaned at the different ages were compared at an equal chronological age, there was no difference in the bodyweight at 7 weeks of age. Supplemental heat (250 watt heat lamp) did not improve the performance of pigs in CNP when the entire nursery was heated. Performance was the same for 3 and 6 pigs per cage (equal floor area per pig) in TDC. There was no difference between pigs in CNP equipped with one large 2-hole 90 kg capacity feeder or 2 small 3-hole 7 kg capacity feeders. The addition of feed flavours to the basal diet did not increase daily feed intake, conversion or daily gain for pigs weaned at the different ages and housed in CNP or TDC.