The number of feeding spaces required for large groups of early-weaned pigs

Abstract

Inadequate feeding space allowance could limit the performance of the early-weaned pig. No information is available on the amount of space required as group size increases; this is now more typical for some of the novel welfare systems. It has been suggested that the early-weaned pigs tend to feed together for an initial period. Indications exist that, if inadequate feeding space is provided post-weaning, a proportion of piglets may suffer.The objective of the experiment was to investigate the effect of restricting access to feed on the performance of the early-weaned pig housed in large groups in a novel sloping bed weaner pen.