Abstract
Large variability in body composition is observed in pigs fed and raised in similar conditions. Part of this variation might be explained by the feeding behaviour of pigs, given its effect on metabolic hormones associated with energy regulation and protein metabolism. The objective of this study was to elucidate this relationship by examining body composition with a new index describing feeding behaviour in finishing pigs. Feeding behaviour and body composition information on 138 pigs during the last 28 d of the finishing phase from three trials were used. For each pig, the sum of the areas between the observed relative cumulative feed intake and the regression line for the evolution of relative feed intake over time was used to calculate the new feeding behaviour index. This index quantifies the irregularity of feed intake (IIFI) by integrating different components of feeding behaviour into a single measurement. Body lipids and protein composition were estimated by dual X-ray densitometry at the beginning (day 1) and end of the finishing phase (day 28). The relationship of IIFI with performance and body composition variables was examined using correlation tests and factor analysis within each dataset. In datasets where IIFI was correlated with body composition, linear models were used to quantify the contribution of IIFI to the total variation of body composition. Weak to moderate correlations (r = ±0.31 to ±0.44; P < 0.05) of IIFI with body composition and performance variables were found only in datasets 1 and 2. However, in dataset 2, IIFI was also correlated with daily feed intake (r = - 0.54; P < 0.001). Irregular feeding behaviour is associated to increased proportion of protein (PdDG) and decreased proportion of lipids (LdDG) in body gain. However, IIFI only accounted for 8% to 14% and 10% to 12% of the total variation of PdDG and LdDG in datasets 2 and 1, respectively. Additionally, factor analysis showed that the number of meals and IIFI had high loadings in a factor separate from factors associated with body composition or performance, suggesting that body composition and performance are independent of feeding behaviour. In conclusion, factors other than feeding behaviour might be involved in modulating body composition of finishing pigs fed ad libitum.
Highlights
Large variability in body composition is observed in pigs fed and raised in similar conditions
In dataset 2, irregularity of feed intake (IIFI) was correlated with daily feed intake (r = - 0.54; P < 0.001)
Irregular feeding behavior is associated to increased proportion of protein (PdDG) and decreased proportion of lipids (LdDG) in body gain
Summary
Large variability in body composition is observed in pigs fed and raised in similar conditions. Part of this variation might be explained by the feeding behavior of pigs, given its effect on metabolic hormones associated with energy regulation and protein metabolism. A large variation in lipid and protein body composition is observed in pigs fed and raised under similar conditions. Producers need to focus on reducing this variation in order to reach premium grid qualifications in many countries [1] Part of this variation may be associated with differences in feeding behaviour among pigs [2]. The number of meals per day and the feed intake rate are the parameters most closely associated with growth performance, while meal size was found to be negatively correlated with feed efficiency [7]
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