242 Effects of Providing a Liquid Sensory Attractant to Suckling Pigs in Lactation and After Weaning on Post-Weaning Pig Performance

Abstract

Abstract A total of 28 litters corresponding with 355 nursery pigs were used in a 42-d trial to determine the effect of a liquid sensory attractant (BlueLite Pro2Lyte; TechMix Global; Stewart, MN) pre- and post-weaning on the feed intake and growth of pigs after weaning. Treatments were arranged in a 2x2x2 factorial with main effects of: 1) pre-weaning treatment (without/with attractant), 2) post-weaning treatment (without/with attractant), and 3) body weight category (light/heavy). Litters that received liquid attractant pre-weaning were provided approximately 88 mL per d, divided into 2 applications, sprayed on the underline of sows for 2-d beginning the morning after farrowing and 2-d prior to weaning. In total, pigs received attractant for 4-d pre-weaning. After weaning, pens of pigs that received liquid attractant were offered approximately 56 mL per d, divided into 3 applications, sprayed on the feed in the feeder pan for 3-d post-weaning. Overall, pre and post-weaning liquid sensory attractant did not have a significant effect (P > 0.10) on growth performance of pigs after weaning. For the percentage of pigs that lost weight by d 3 after weaning, a 3-way interaction was observed (P = 0.016). Sensory attractant pre- or post-weaning reduced the percentage of heavyweight pigs that lost weight after weaning; however, for lightweight pigs, providing the attractant only pre-weaning increased the percentage of pigs that lost weight after weaning. Additionally, a greater percentage of heavyweight pigs lost weight on d 3 (P = 0.007) and d 7 (P = 0.051) compared with lightweight pigs. In summary, liquid sensory attractant application pre- and post-weaning had limited effects on the growth performance of pigs; however, varying responses were observed for the percentage of pigs that lost weight immediately after weaning. Strategies to reduce the number of pigs that lose weight after weaning warrant further investigation.