Post-weaning Performance Research Articles

270 Efficacy of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis (BioPlus2B®) on sow lactation performance, litter growth, nursery performance and health of pigs challenged with PRRS virus post-wean

Abstract Probiotics have been shown to support normal growth and immune function in pigs in challenging environments. A commercial probiotic (BioPlus2B®) containing two microbial species (Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis) was tested to determine its effect on lactation of sows, pre-weaning performance of litters, and post-weaning performance of pigs challenged with PRRS virus. Sows (n = 120) were fed to meet or exceed NRC 2018 requirements and divided into two treatment groups: control and BioPlus2B®. BioPlus2B® was fed daily at an equivalent of 1.6 x 109CFU/kg and daily feed intake was recorded. Production practices were closely monitored in order to reduce the risk of bacteria cross-contamination between treatment groups and to maintain responsible animal welfare practices. By 24 hours post-farrow, piglets were cross-fostered within treatment group and subsequently weighed. They were weighed again on day 17. Upon weaning at approximately 21 days, piglets from each treatment group were separated into one of three BSL2 rooms and allocated to one of 36 pens per treatment for a 28-day growth study. The treatment group was fed BioPlus2B® daily at 1.1 x 109CFU/kg. At seven days post-wean, pigs were infected IM with 2 x 103.5 TCID 50 of the PRRS virus. Sow, litter, or pen was considered the experimental unit except for birth and wean weights. Sows that consumed BioPlus2B® daily birthed heavier piglets, consumed more feed throughout lactation, and tended to wean heavier pigs than Control sows. Pigs that consumed BioPlus2B® post-wean resulted in greater ADG, ADG:ADFI, and reduced mortality after PRRS infection. Data is expressed as least square means ±SEM. Values at P< 0.05 are considered significantly different while values between 0.05< P≤0.10 are considered a trend. In summary, feeding a defined probiotic supports optimal performance of sows and litters and effective immune responses of pigs challenged with respiratory disease.

56 Effects of creep feed supplementation and sire breed on the post-weaning performance of replacement doelings

Abstract This study examined the influence of creep feeding and sire breed on post-weaning replacement doeling traits. Over 3 years, doelings by Kiko, Myotonic, Spanish and Savanna sires were creep-fed (CF; n = 116) for 60 d or not creep-fed (NC; n = 117). Sire breeds were balanced across creep treatments. Doelings were weighed at 3 mo old (weaning) and various postweaning ages. Doelings entered the breeding herd at 18 mo of age and fitness traits recorded. At 3-, 6-, and 12-mo of age CF (14.7 ± 0.6, 19.3 ± 1.2, and 24.6 ± 0.9 kg, respectively) were heavier (P < 0.05) than NC (13.8 ± 0.6, 17.9 ± 1.2, and 23.6 ± 0.9 kg, respectively). Treatment did not affect 18-mo weights. Sire breed did not affect 3-mo weight. Sire breed influenced (P < 0.05) 6-, 12-, and 18-mo weights. Myotonic-sired doelings were lightest (P < 0.05) and Kiko-sired doelings were heavier (P < 0.05) than Savanna-sired. Breed x treatment interacted (P < 0.05) for survival to 18 mo of age. Kiko-sired CF doelings had a higher (P < 0.05) survival rate than Savanna-sired CF (88.6 ± 6.0% vs. 44.6 ± 11.5%). Breed did not affect survival rate (P> 0.05) within the NC group. As a main effect, CF had a higher (P < 0.05) survival rate than NC (81.5 ± 6.3% vs. 65.6 ± 8.7%). Sire breed affected (P < 0.05) reproductive output. Cumulative kid crop weaned across the first 2 breeding years for the whole weaned doeling population was higher (P < 0.05) for Myotonic- and Kiko-sired (1.4 and 1.2 ± 0.2 kids) does than Savanna-sired (0.5 ± 0.1 kids). Creep feeding did not affect reproductive output. Creep feed supplementation and sire breed influenced post-weaning doeling weights. Only sire breed affected reproductive performance of the young does.

Whole-flint corn grain or tropical grass hay free choice in the diet of dairy calves

Tropical grass hay feeding is related to improved ruminal health; however, it may decrease energy intake. On the other hand, whole-flint corn grain may be an alternative fiber source in the diet of dairy calves. Forty-two Holstein calves were used in a randomized block design, considering sex, birth date, and weight at 21 d of age, when the supply of whole-flint corn grain or tropical grass hay started. Three component-fed solid diets were compared: (1) starter concentrate only during the preweaning and starter concentrate with free choice of chopped Tifton-85 hay postweaning (SC), (2) starter concentrate with free choice of chopped Tifton-85 hay pre- and postweaning (SCH), and (3) starter concentrate with free choice of whole-flint corn grain pre- and postweaning (SCW). The animals were evaluated from 21 to 84 d of age. Calves were managed equally during the first 21 d, fed with 6 L/d of whole milk and a commercial starter concentrate (46% nonfiber carbohydrates, small particles, and pelleted) ad libitum. After that, milk feeding was reduced to 4 L/d until gradual weaning at 56 d of age. At 56 d of age, 4 animals per treatment were randomly chosen to be slaughtered for digestive tract weight evaluation and to collect tissue for histological analysis of the ruminal wall, duodenum, and cecum, whereas the other 30 animals were weaned and evaluated for a further 22 d when the SC diet also received hay ad libitum. Feed intake was measured daily. Weight gain and metabolic indicators of intermediate metabolism were evaluated weekly. Ruminal fluid was collected at wk 6, 8, 10, and 12 of age. The SCH diet increased the total and starter dry matter intake, and consequently, the average daily gain and body weight at 56 d of age. The SCW diet promoted an increase in propionate and decreased acetate-to-propionate ratio. Morphometric variables were affected by the SCH diet. The postweaning performance was unaffected by solid diets; however, the SCW diet decreased ruminal and fecal pH. Feeding hay, starting at 21 d of age, can stimulate early solid diet intake, promoting better performance and ruminal and intestinal development, when a highly fermentable and small particle pelleted starter is fed.

Increasing dietary tryptophan in conjunction with decreasing other large neutral amino acids increases weight gain and feed intake in weaner pigs regardless of experimental infection with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

Dietary tryptophan (Trp) is a precursor for serotonin, a neuromediator involved in stress responses. Tryptophan competes with other large neutral amino acids (LNAA: tyrosine, isoleucine, leucine, valine, and phenylalanine) to cross the blood-brain barrier; therefore, the regulation of circulating LNAA can influence Trp availability in the cortex and serotonin biosynthesis. The hypothesis examined in this study was that increased supplementation of dietary Trp and a reduction in LNAA for weaned pigs experimentally infected with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC; F4) will increase Trp availability in plasma and reduce indices of the stress response, which will translate to reduced production losses. At 21 ± 3 d of age (mean ± SEM), 96 male pigs (Large White × Landrace) weighing 6.3 ± 0.98 kg (mean ± SEM) were individually penned and allocated to a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, with respective factors being 1) four dietary standardized ileal digestible (SID) Trp and LNAA contents, being HTrpHLNAA (Low Trp-High LNAA; 0.24% SID Trp: 5.4% SID LNAA), HTrpHLNAA (Low Trp-Low LNAA; 0.24% SID Trp: 4.6% SID LNAA), HTrpHLNAA (High Trp-High LNAA; 0.34% SID Trp: 5.4% SID LNAA), and HTrpHLNAA (High Trp-Low LNAA; 0.34% SID Trp: 4.6% SID LNAA), and 2) without/with ETEC infection. Pigs were orally infected with 0.8 mL (3.6 × 109 CFU/mL) ETEC at days 7 and 8 after weaning. Pigs fed diets high in Trp irrespective of the level of LNAA (HTrpHLNAA and HTrpLLNAA) had higher plasma Trp concentrations (P < 0.001) and a Trp:LNAA ratio (P < 0.001) before infection and 6 d after infection. Following infection, noninfected pigs had higher plasma Trp (P = 0.03) and a Trp:LNAA ratio (P = 0.004) compared with pigs infected with ETEC. Plasma cortisol levels after infection were higher in ETEC-infected pigs (P = 0.05) and altering dietary Trp and LNAA concentrations did not influence (P > 0.05) plasma cortisol. Pigs fed diet HTrpLLNAA had higher serum serotonin levels 24 h after infection (P = 0.02) compared with pigs fed diets LTrpLLNAA and HTrpHLNAA. Similarly, pigs fed diet HTrpLLNAA had a higher (P = 0.02) average daily gain during the 3-wk study. Overall, average daily feed intake tended to be higher in pigs fed an HTrpLLNAA diet compared with the other diets (P = 0.08). These results suggest that the increased supplementation of dietary Trp with reduced LNAA increased circulating Trp levels that, in turn, likely caused higher serum serotonin levels, irrespective of infection with ETEC, and improved aspects of post-weaning performance.

Effects of soft pellet creep feed on pre-weaning and post-weaning performance and intestinal development in piglets.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the effects of soft pellet creep feed (SPCF) on growth performance and intestinal development in piglets.MethodsA total of 18 sows and their litters of crossbred piglets (14±2 days, 3.73±0.72 kg) were assigned to one of three dietary groups receiving i) powder creep feed (PCF), ii) hard pellet creep feed (HPCF) or iii) SPCF during the pre-weaning period. After weaning, piglets were selected for continuous evaluation of the three diets on growth performance and intestinal health.ResultsIn the pre-weaning period, the average daily feed intake and average daily dry matter intake were significantly higher in the SPCF group than the HPCF group (p<0.05). In the post-weaning and entire experimental period, the different diets had no significant effect on growth performance. At 10 d after weaning, the serum glucose concentration was lower in the SPCF group (p<0.05) than the other groups; a higher (p<0.05) villus height and lower (p<0.05) crypt depth in the jejunum were also observed in the SPCF group than the other groups; Meanwhile, in the duodenum and jejunum, the SPCF group had a higher (p<0.05) villus height to crypt depth ratio than the other groups; Furthermore, the higher (p<0.05) threshold cycle values of lactic acid bacteria and lower (p<0.05) threshold cycle values of Clostridium, Enterobacter and Escherichia coli were also observed in the SPCF group, and the sucrase and maltase activity was higher (p<0.05) in the SPCF group than the other groups in duodenum and ileum.ConclusionThe SPCF improved pre-weaning feed intake and decreased the negative effects of weaning stress in the intestine in piglets.

Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides supplementation to suckling piglets: Assessment of pre- and post-weaning performance and gut health.

Farmers face difficulties in redeeming their investment in larger litter sizes since this comes with larger litter heterogenicity, lower litter resilience and risk of higher mortality. Dietary oligosaccharides, given to the sow, proved beneficial for the offspring’s performance. However, giving oligosaccharides to the suckling piglet is poorly explored. Therefore, this field trial studied the effect of dietary short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS; 1g/day; drenched) supplementation to low (LBW, lower quartile), normal (NBW, two intermediate quartiles) and high (HBW, upper quartile) birth weight piglets from birth until 7 or 21 days of age. Performance parameters, gut microbiome and short-chain fatty acids profile of feces and digesta were assessed at birth (d 0), d 7, weaning (d 21.5) and 2 weeks post-weaning (d 36.5). Additional parameters reflecting gut health (intestinal integrity and morphology, mucosal immune system) were analysed at d 36.5. Most parameters changed with age or differed with the piglet’s birth weight. Drenching with scFOS increased body weight by 1 kg in NBW suckling piglets and reduced the post-weaning mortality rate by a 100%. No clear difference in the IgG level, the microbiota composition and fermentative activity between the treatment groups was observed. Additionnally, intestinal integrity, determined by measuring intestinal permeability and regenerative capacity, was similar between the treatment groups. Also, intestinal architecture (villus lenght, crypt depth) was not affected by scFOS supplementation. The density of intra-epithelial lymphocytes and the expression profiles (real-time qPCR) for immune system-related genes (IL-10, IL-1ß, IL-6, TNFα and IFNγ) were used to assess mucosal immunity. Only IFNγ expression, was upregulated in piglets that received scFOS for 7 days. The improved body weight and the reduced post-weaning mortality seen in piglets supplemented with scFOS support the view that scFOS positively impact piglet’s health and resilience. However, the modes of action for these effects are not yet fully elucidated and its potential to improve other performance parameters needs further investigation.

Growth performance of newborn dairy calves fed a milk replacer containing 24% crude protein and 20% fat fed at different feeding rates

ABSTRACT Objective The objective was to evaluate the preweaning (d 1 to 42) and postweaning (d 43 to 56) performance and health of calves fed a 24% CP:20% fat milk replacer (MR) at different feeding rates based on our previous work that calves fed greater feeding rates of MR demonstrated improved growth. Materials and Methods A total of 108 (2- to 5-d-old) Holstein heifer calves (40 ± 0.69 kg) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments. The same all-milk-protein MR was fed at 14.7% solids, with treatments of (1) control (MR57): MR fed at 0.57 kg daily from d 1 to 35; (2) MR71: MR fed at 0.71 kg daily from d 1 to 35; (3) MR85: MR fed at 0.68 kg daily from d 1 to 7 and at 0.85 kg daily from d 8 to 35; and (4) MR99: MR fed at 0.68 kg daily from d 1 to 7 and at 0.99 kg daily from d 8 to 35. All treatments were fed MR one time per day from d 36 to weaning, after d 42 with water, and an 18% CP texturized calf starter offered free choice. Results and Discussion Preweaning and overall ADG (0.78, 0.82, 0.83, and 0.85 kg/d for MR57, MR71, MR85, and MR99, respectively) were greater (P 0.10) and intermediate. Overall d 1 to 56 calf starter intakes were greater (P 0.10). Preweaning G:F was lowest for calves fed MR57, whereas d 1 to 56 G:F (0.49, 0.52, 0.52, and 0.54 kg/kg of DM) was greater (P Implications and Applications This study demonstrated that higher feeding rate of a 24:20 MR resulted in increased ADG and feed conversion (G:F).

Growth performance of newborn dairy calves fed a milk replacer with 2 protein concentrations at 2 feeding rates

ABSTRACT Objective The objective was to evaluate the growth performance by calves fed a conventional milk replacer (MR) or modified accelerated MR (24% CP) to prevent the slump in postweaning calf starter intake and feed efficiency. Materials and Methods A total of 104 (1 to 5 d old) Holstein heifer calves (39.3 ± 0.66 kg) were assigned randomly to 1 of 4 MR treatments to evaluate preweaning (1 to 42 d) and postweaning (43 to 56 d) performance in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of CP concentrations [20% CP or 24% CP high protein (HP) with feeding rates (FR) of 0.57 or 0.68 kg/d]. Treatments were MR fed at 15% solids (as fed): (1) control (CP1): a 20% CP:20% fat MR fed at 0.284 kg 2×/d for 35 d; (2) CP2: the 20:20 MR fed at 0.34 kg 2×/d for 35 d; (3) HP1: a 24:20 MR fed at CP1 rate; and (4) HP2: the 24:20 MR fed at CP2 rate. Results and Discussion No interactions of CP by FR were detected for growth parameters. During 1 to 14 d, calves fed higher MR FR (CP2 and HP2) had greater (P 0.10). Intakes of calf starter from 1 to 56 d were similar (P > 0.10) for calves fed MR with different CP concentrations (0.77 and 0.78 kg/d), whereas calf starter intake (0.81 and 0.74 kg/d) was reduced (P 0.01) for calves fed different CP concentrations (0.54 and 0.55 kg/kg) but were improved when fed higher MR FR (0.53 and 0.56 kg/kg). However, a trend (P Implications and Applications Feeding calves a conventional MR (20%CP:20% fat) at different FR with different CP concentrations resulted in similar performance. Feeding a higher CP MR (24% CP:20% fat) at higher FR did not affect preweaning gain of dairy calves.

Nutritional effects pre-weaning on growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality of pigs

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of nutritional restriction during the suckling period on growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality of fattening pigs. A one-way experimental design was used. In total, 24 male pigs of normal birthweight (1.54 ± 0.05 kg) were randomly allocated at 7 days of age to three groups: control, fed ad libitum; 30% nutritional restriction (Re30%); and 60% nutritional restriction (Re60%). The Re30% and Re60% groups showed decreased average daily gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio from Day 7 to Day 28. After Day 28, differences in these parameters were observed only in the Re60% group relative to the control. With regard to hormone levels, the Re60% group showed decreased serum concentration of insulin-like growth factor-1 at Day 28 and increased serum concentration of growth hormone at Day 147. Furthermore, the Re60% group had decreased carcass weight, ham weight and dressing percentage, and increased carcass lean percentage relative to the control, as well as lower cross-sectional area and myofibre diameter of muscle. The Re60% group had lower levels of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) IIx and MyHC IIb mRNA and a higher percentage of MyHC I and MyHC IIa mRNA in longissimus dorsi muscle than the Re30% group. In conclusion, nutritional restriction during the suckling period decreased weaning weight, with post-weaning growth performance, carcass traits and myofibre type affected in the Re60% group rather than Re30% group.

157 Impact of weaning strategy on heifer performance and reproductive development

Abstract Weaning is recognized as one of the most stressful times of a beef calf’s post-natal life. The objective of this study was to determine if weaning strategy impacts heifer development and reproduction. At 7 months of age, 96 predominantly Angus heifers at 2 locations were assigned to 1 of 3 weaning treatments: abrupt relocation of the calf on d0 (Abrupt, n = 32), fenceline contact starting on d0 prior to relocation of the calf on d7 (Fence, n = 33), and abrupt relocation of the calf on d84 (Late, n = 31). Calf weights, hip heights, and body condition scores (BCS) were collected to evaluate post-weaning performance. Reproductive tract scores (RTS; 0–5 scale, 5=most mature) were assigned every 54 days from d56 to d218. Heifers were synchronized using a 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR® protocol and artificially inseminated (AI) on d246. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with repeated measures. Statistical significance was determined at P ≤ 0.05. Late heifers were heavier at d28 and d56 than Abrupt and Fence (P &amp;lt; 0.05), but BW was similar across treatments starting at d84. Average daily gain (ADG) was greater for Late than Abrupt (0.39 and -0.03 kg/day respectively; P &amp;lt; 0.01) and tended to be greater than Fence (0.16 kg/day; P = 0.07) to d28; however, Late had lower ADG than Abrupt and Fence from d28-84 (0.66, 0.83, and 0.81 kg/day respectively; P &amp;lt; 0.05). No treatment differences were observed in BCS or hip height. Late tended to have greater RTS than Abrupt and Fence (2.54, 2.20, and 2.16 respectively; P ≤ 0.10) on d56, but there was no difference on or after d164. Fence tended to have greater AI conception rates than Abrupt and Late (66%, 44%, and 42% respectively; P ≤ 0.08). This data indicates there were initial performance differences based on weaning strategy, but this had minimal impact on heifer development.

Effects of Low-Stress Weaning on Calf Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to compare the influence of two low stress weaning methods with conventional weaning on post-weaning performance and carcass characteristics of beef steers.Materials and MethodsAngus × Simmental crossbred steer calves (n = 90) from a single source were stratified by body weight and dam age into three groups; one treatment was randomly assigned to each group: ABRUPT (calves isolated from dams on the day of weaning), FENCE (calves separated from dams via a barbed wire fence for 7 d prior to completely weaning), and NOSE (nose-flap inserted and calves remained with dams for 7 d prior to completely weaning). At d +7 post-weaning calves were transported to a commercial feedlot where they received standard step-up and finishing rations typical for a Northern Plains feedlot. To understand the influence of each weaning method on haptoglobin (an acute-phase protein), blood samples were collected via coccygeal venipuncture at d –7 (PreTreat), 0 (Weaning), and +7 (PostWean) from a subsample of calves (n = 10 per treatment) and analyzed using a bovine haptoglobin ELISA kit. Body weights (BW) were recorded on study d –34 (PreWean), –7 (PreTreat), 0 (Weaning), 7 (PostWean), 32 (Receiving), 175 (Ultrasound), and 253 (Final) and average daily gains (ADG) were calculated between each time period. On d 175 post-weaning BW were recorded, and ultrasound fat thickness and intramuscular fat were determined and utilized to project marketing dates. Carcass measurements were recorded at the time of harvest and included hot carcass weight, 12th rib backfat, ribeye area, USDA Yield Grade and Quality Grade, and marbling score. Haptoglobin, BW, and ADG data were analyzed as repeated measures using the ante-dependence covariance structure in the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) for effects of weaning treatment, day, and their interaction; birth weight was included as a covariate for ADG and BW. Carcass traits were analyzed for the effect of weaning treatment using the MIXED procedure. Separation of least-squares means was performed using LSD with a Tukey’s adjustment and assuming an α level of 0.05.ResultsWeaning method interacted (P &lt; 0.0001) with time period for ADG and BW. Calf BW increased in all treatments until the PostWean period, wherein BW decreased (P &lt; 0.0001) in ABRUPT and NOSE and was maintained (P &gt; 0.05) in FENCE. From the Receiving to Final time periods BW increased similarly (P &gt; 0.05) for all treatments. Calf ADG was greater (P &lt; 0.01) in calves in the NOSE treatment at Weaning than ABRUPT or FENCE. In the PostWean period, the FENCE calves had ADG that was not different (P &gt; 0.05) than zero but was greater (P &lt; 0.0001) than the negative ADG of ABRUPT and NOSE calves. During the Receiving period ADG was greater (P &lt; 0.05) for ABRUPT compared to NOSE and FENCE. Time influenced (P &lt; 0.001) haptoglobin concentration. No difference in haptoglobin was observed between the PreTreat and Weaning or PostWean periods; however, haptoglobin concentration was greater (P &lt; 0.001) at PostWean compared to Weaning. Weaning method did not influence (P &gt; 0.05) carcass measurements.ConclusionCollectively these data suggest low stress weaning methods do not significantly improve post-weaning growth performance or carcass merit compared to calves weaned using conventional methods.

Performance of kids produced by three breeds of goat fed diets supplemented with graded levels of turmeric powder.

Inclusion of some plants especially spices in the diets of farm animals have been researched upon extensively for parameters like growth, blood chemistry, and feed utilization among others. In contrary, the use of turmeric as feed additive for ruminant production is so low, while its effects on reproduction (especially during pregnancy) in ruminants are not available due to little/no information on its properties, processing, and inclusion rate. Thus, a study was conducted to evaluate pre- and post-weaning performances of kids produced by three breeds of goat fed diets supplemented with graded levels of turmeric powder intensively in southwestern Nigeria. Kids produced by Kalahari Red (KR), West African Dwarf (WAD), and KalaWAD Does fed diets containing turmeric powder (TP) at different levels were monitored for pre-weaning that lasted for 12 weeks, while selected kids were observed for 4 weeks post-weaning. Each Doe breed was fed diet at 5% bodyweight during pregnancy and pre-weaning, including some selected kids during post-weaning. Dietary treatments included concentrate diet (CD) as TP-0, CD + 2 g/kg TP as TP-2g, and CD + 5 g/kg TP as TP-5 g. Brachiaria ruziziensis was used as basal diet. Data obtained were arranged in a 3 × 3 factorial layout in a completely randomized design, while analysis of variance was done using SAS 9.1. Significance level was taken at 5% probability, while means were separated using Duncan's multiple range test of the same statistical package. Results of the study for breed effect revealed that KR kids had the best (p < 0.05) pre-weaning performance from birth (3.2 kg) till weaning (14.5 kg) and for weight gains (11.2 kg and 134.0 g/day). No mortality was recorded for WAD kids. For TP effects, the kids fed TP-2g had the highest (p < 0.05) weight gains (1.6 kg and 58.6 g/day) and reduced value for feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 6.2 for post-weaning performance. Kids fed TP-5g had the highest (p < 0.05) value for protein efficiency ratio (PER) of 1.4 at the end of post-weaning. For interaction effects of breeds and TP, KR kids fed TP-5g performed best (p < 0.05) at the pre-weaning period in terms of weights from birth (3.6 kg) till weaning (15.7 kg), while KR kids fed TP-2g had highest (p < 0.05) pre-weaning weight gains (12.5 kg and 148.9 g/day). KR kids fed TP-5g performed best (p < 0.05) at the post-weaning period in terms of weight gains (1.8 kg and 64.4 g/day). KR kids fed TP-2g and KalaWAD kids fed TP-5g had the lowest FCR (5.2) and the highest PER (1.6) respectively at the post-weaning period. It can be concluded that breeds of kid, TP inclusion, and their interaction influenced pre- and post-weaning performances of the kids.

Pigs Like It Varied; Feeding Behavior and Pre- and Post-weaning Performance of Piglets Exposed to Dietary Diversity and Feed Hidden in Substrate During Lactation.

Timely intake of solid feed is essential to ease the nutritional change from sow's milk to solid feed at weaning and thereby to reduce weaning-related problems. A significant percentage of piglets, however, do not or hardly consume solid feed before weaning. We studied effects of dietary variety and presenting the feed in substrate during lactation on the feeding behavior and performance of piglets up to 2 weeks post-weaning. Feed was provided ad libitum from d4 in two feeders, with four bowls each. In a 2 × 2 arrangement, 40 litters received either creep feed as a monotonous diet (MO) or four feed items simultaneously, i.e., creep feed, celery, cereal honey loops and peanuts, as a diverse diet (DD) and the feed was either provided without (CON) or with substrate (SUB), i.e., sand, in one of the two feeders up to weaning. Dietary diversity highly stimulated feed exploration and eating (≥2.5 times), feed intake and the percentage of (good) eaters from early in lactation, and enhanced piglet growth toward weaning (by 29 g/d), although MO-piglets spent more time eating creep feed from d18. Within MO, SUB-litters consisted of more good eaters than CON-litters. At weaning (d28) four piglets from the same treatment were grouped (n = 40 pens). DD-CON had the highest post-weaning feed intake and gain between d5–15 and the lowest proportion of pigs with higher tail damage scores. However, effects regarding behavior remained inconclusive, as DD-piglets had a lower and higher number of body lesions at 4 h and d15 post-weaning, respectively, spent less time exploring the feed(er) and drinker and environment, and more time nosing pen mates than MO-piglets. SUB-piglets showed a reduction in total post-weaning feed intake, gain (particularly between d0–2) and inactivity, increased levels of manipulation and aggression at week 1 and a higher number of body lesions at 4 h and d15 post-weaning. In conclusion, dietary diversity seems a promising feeding strategy in getting piglets to eat during lactation. Provision of substrate in the feeder subtly stimulated foraging behavior, but negatively impacted post-weaning adaptation, probably because treatments were not reinforced after weaning and piglets thus experienced loss of enrichment.

Weaning age and post-weaning nursery feeding regime are important in improving the performance of lightweight pigs.

The aim was to investigate the effect of weaning age, weaning weight, and nursery feeding regime on post-weaning performance. The focus was on pigs weaned light, as they may be better off when weaned at a later age and/or offered a specialist nursery feeding regime. Piglets (n = 1,448) from one farrowing batch of 110 sows that farrowed over 2 wk were individually weighed and their morphometric measurements were taken at birth. Pigs were weaned on the same day, but variation in birth date resulted in variable weaning ages (mean age day 34.1, SD = 2.5). The youngest 50% at weaning were classified Y and the oldest 50% as O; within an age class, the lightest 50% were classified L, the heaviest 50% as H, and housed accordingly. Pigs were individually weighed at weaning, 7 and 15 wk post-weaning. At weaning, Y were 6 d younger and 1.4 kg lighter than O pigs, whereas L were 3.2 kg lighter than H pigs. Pigs were randomly allocated to a 3-stage superior (SUP) or control (CON) nursery feeding regime, with SUP pigs having a 65% greater allowance (on a kg/pig basis) of the first and second stage feeds than the CON. Pigs weaned Y had a higher mortality rate from weaning to 7 wk post-weaning than pigs weaned O (9.14% vs. 4.98%; P = 0.046). As expected, age and weight significantly (P < 0.001) affected performance to both 7 and 15 wk post-weaning: at 15-wk pigs weaned Y were 5.5 kg lighter than pigs weaned O; pigs weaned L were 9.0 kg lighter than H pigs. It was estimated that pigs weaned YL needed ~4 d more (P = 0.018) to reach 60 kg BW than pigs weaned OL. Feed intake was not affected by feeding regime, age and weight, or their interactions. Performance was not affected by feeding regime (P > 0.05), but was affected by the weight × feeding regime interaction (P = 0.044) to 7 wk post-weaning: L pigs on SUP were 1.2 kg heavier than L pigs on the CON regime; this was not the case for the H pigs. Performance up to 7 wk post-weaning was positively associated with birth weight to cranial circumference ratio and weaning weight (P < 0.05) for both YL and OL pigs; for the latter, additional performance predictors were weaning age (P = 0.044) and feeding (P = 0.027). Improved growth for L pigs up to 7 wk post-weaning could be obtained by a greater allowance of the nursery diets. However, weaning at a later age benefitted the performance of L pigs to a common BW, suggesting that this might be a strategy with longer term benefits.

195 Depriving piglets of maternal feces changes piglet physiology and performance before and after weaning

Abstract Coprophagy has been described in piglets, but its effects on piglet physiology, behavior, and performance have not been fully assessed. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate how deprivation of maternal feces influenced these measures before and after weaning. Eight litters were randomly assigned to one of two treatments following a CRD design: Control and treatment (TRT). Piglets in the control group had access to maternal feces while piglets in TRT litters were deprived of maternal feces for the first 7 d of age. Measures of piglet behavior were observed for 24 h on d 7 of age. Blood samples were collected from two piglets from each litter (i.e. male and female) at 0, 7, and 21 d of age for hematological analyses. Litters were weaned at 25 ±2 d of age and post-weaning growth performance was assessed until 100 d post weaning. During the first 3 d post-partum, sow fecal output was low or absent. After 3 d post-partum, sows defecated 220.7 ± 43.86 g/d (DM basis). No treatment effects were observed on measures of behavior, hematocrit or hemoglobin at 0, 7, and 21 d of age (P &gt; 0.05). Relative to the control group, TRT piglets had 25% lower WBC numbers (PP ≤ 0.05). At 100-d post-weaning, control pigs were 8.33 ± 1.9 kg heavier than TRT pigs (P &lt; 0.05). Collectively, these results show that when piglets had access to maternal feces during the first 7 d of age, while not changing nursing or other behaviors, they had better pre- and post-weaning performance than piglets deprived of maternal feces. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms (nutritional, microbial, or pheromonal) through which maternal feces changes physiology and improves the growth of piglets.

PSIV-16 Effect of a 1-monoglyceride, 1,2-diglyceride of butyric-, caproic- and caprilic acid, and Avilamycin on performance and intestinal E. coli when fed to piglets challenged with E. coli

Abstract This study examined the effect of 1-monoglycerides and 1,2-diglycerides of butyric-, caproic- and caprylic acid (SILOHealth™ 104L [monoglycerides]) and avilamycin on day 14 and 21 post weaning performance of E. coli (GN-Ent and O157:H7) day 5 challenged piglets fed corn/soy diets that met or exceeded current NRC (2012) recommendations. A total of 96, Choice Genetics CG32, piglets were used in a randomized complete block design with pen as the experimental unit, treatment as the fixed effect, and block as the random effect (4 piglets/pen x 3 treatments x 8 replications). Pigs were blocked by sex and weight and were orally dosed with 5 ml (1x109 CFU/g, strain GN-Ent and O157:H7) E. coli d 5 after weaning (Ec). The treatment were: NC with Ec; T1=NC + 3 kg/MT monoglycerides; T2=NC+ 80 ppm avilamycin. Least significant difference was used to compare means of treatment. Mortalities and pen removals were weighed and recorded. The E. coli infection model was effective in causing E. coli mortality of 25% at d14 post weaning and 33% at d21 post weaning in NC. T1 and T2 reduced mortality versus NC at d14 (25, 3 and 0%, P &lt; 0.05) and d21 (33, 4 and 0%, P &lt; 0.05), increased ADG at d14 (203, 255 and 259 g, P &lt; 0.05) and d21 (456, 511 and 515 g, P &lt; 0.05), decreased FCR at d21 (1.90, 1.85 and 1.83, P &lt; 0.05), and decreased intestinal E. coli, log 10 of CFU/g, versus NC (4.1, 2.2 and 2.1, P &lt; 0.05). Monoglycerides and avilamycin performance, mortality and intestinal E. coli log 10 were not significantly different at P &lt; 0.05. In conclusion, the use of monoglycerides improved ADG, reduced FCR, reduced mortality and reduced intestinal E. coli log 10 at day 14 and 21 post weaning versus NC and monoglycerides were not significant different (P &lt; 0.05) than avilamycin.

Preliminary Study: Depriving Piglets of Maternal Feces for the First Seven Days Post-Partum Changes Piglet Physiology and Performance before and after Weaning.

Simple SummaryCoprophagy is the behavior of eating feces. This behavior has been reported in many animals, including pigs. We aimed to assess how coprophagy affects piglet behavior, physiology, and performance by depriving piglets of maternal feces for the first 7 d post-partum. Eight litters were randomly assigned either to have access to maternal feces (control) or to be deprived of maternal feces for the first 7 d post-partum. Piglet behavior was observed for 24 h at 7 d of age and two piglets from each litter (male and female) were bled for hematological analysis at 0, 7, and 21 d of age. Piglets feed intake and weight gain were measured until 123 d post-weaning. No behavioral differences were observed between treatments. Overall, control piglets had 25% higher white blood cell counts and higher feed intake and weight gain than piglets deprived of maternal feces. At 123 d post-weaning, control piglets were 9.6 kg heavier than piglets deprived of maternal feces. In conclusion, piglets with access to maternal feces early in life exhibited better performance. The mechanisms by which coprophagy improves piglet performance needs to be elucidated in further studies, but could include effects of the nutrition, microbiome or semiochemical exposure. Coprophagy has been described in piglets although its importance has not been fully assessed. The aim of this study was to evaluate how deprivation of maternal feces influenced piglet physiology, behavior, and performance. Eight litters were randomly assigned to one of two treatments. Control (CON) litters had access to maternal feces while deprived (DEP) litters were deprived of maternal feces for the first 7 d post-partum. Piglet behavior was quantified for 24 h at 7 d of age. Blood samples were collected from one male and female from each litter at 0, 7, and 21 d for hematological analyses, and post-weaning performance was assessed until 123 d post-weaning. No treatment effects were observed on piglet behavior. DEP piglets had 25% lower leukocyte counts (p < 0.01). Relative to DEP litters, CON litters had increased post-weaning feed intake (0.998 vs 0.901 kg/d; p = 0.02) and weight gain (0.536 vs 0.483 kg/d; p < 0.01). At 123 d post-weaning, CON pigs were 9.3 ± 2.3 kg heavier than treatment pigs (p < 0.01). These results suggest that access to maternal feces improves immunocompetence and growth performance. Further studies are needed to explore the physiological mechanisms through which maternal feces improve growth performance, including nutritional and microbial factors, or the presence of maternal semiochemicals.

The increased permeability and inflammatory response of porcine intestinal epithelial cells caused by Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica Typhimurium infections are mitigated by bovine colostrum

Abstract Gastroenteric infections caused by Escherichia coli and Salmonellaenterica Typhimurium are the source of important losses in porcineindustry. The use of antibiotics in piglets’ food to improve post-weaning performances and prevent enteric infections is raising many concerns, leading the governments to call for finding alternatives that contribute to enhance gut health and resistance to infections. Bovine colostrum is loaded with bioactive pro-immune components that could mediate anti-microbial activities. Therefore, we tested the effect of complete defatted bovine colostrum (BC), as well as bovineserocolostrum and casein fractions (SC and CAS respectively) on porcineintestinal epithelial cell (IPEC J2) in response to the two enteric pathogens. Bothpathogens increased the cell monolayer permeability 4h following the infection, as determined by TEER assays. BC treatment prevented the monolayer disruption caused by both pathogens, while SC only prevented the one caused by Salmonella. After 2h of incubation, the expression of IL8, IL6, TNFA, CCL20, CXCL2 and CXCL10 was increased by bothpathogens, while IL1B, CCL5 and SAA2 were only induced by Salmonella, as measured by Q-PCR. BC and SC reduced the induction of IL8, CCL20 and CXCL2 genes by E. coli(p&amp;lt;0,05). Both BC and SC reduced the expression of IL6 and CCL20 genes by Salmonella (p&amp;lt;0,05), while only BC reduced the induction of IL8, IL6, CCL20, IL1B, SAA2 (p&amp;lt;0,05) and TNFA (p&amp;lt;0,1). Altogether, these results show that the complete form of bovine colostrum can reduce both E. coli and Salmonella infections of porcineintestinal epithelial cells and could be a good alternative to antibiotics in order to control these infections.

Sows in mid parity are best foster mothers for the pre- and post-weaning performance of both light and heavy piglets1.

To improve the performance of lightweight piglets during suckling, producers are advised to create uniform litters using young sows. However, fostering piglets to primiparous sows may confer penalties due to their lower milk yield and milk immunoglobulin concentrations compared with multiparous sows. The objective was to determine the effect of foster sow parity (primiparous (F), second (S), and mid parity (M: parity 3 to 5)) on the performance from birth to day 68 of piglets born light (L: ≤1.25 kg) or heavy (H: 1.50-2.00 kg) and on creep feed consumption. Piglets (n = 507) considered L or H were cross-fostered, creating litters of 13 similar-sized piglets/litter and were randomly fostered to one of the foster parities. All litters were offered creep feed with a green dye to discern between consumers and nonconsumers, and the medication administered was recorded. Medication administrated pre- and postweaning did not differ (P > 0.05) across the different experimental groups. A significantly (P ≤ 0.025) lower number of H piglets were removed as a result of preweaning weight loss from F and S, rather than M litters. The interaction between birth weight and foster parity only affected piglet BW at day 10 (P = 0.020); foster parity did not influence BW of L piglets, but influenced that of H piglets. H piglets in F and M litters (3.82 and 3.80 kg) were significantly lighter (P ≤ 0.013) than H piglets in S litters (4.15 kg). As expected, L piglets performed worse pre- and postweaning than H piglets; they were 4.50 kg lighter at day 68. Foster parity significantly affected BW: F piglets were weaned lighter (P = 0.004) than S and M piglets (7.52 vs. 8.02 kg). Postweaning (day 68) however, F piglets achieved similar BW as S piglets (29.7 vs. 29.9 kg), whereas M piglets performed best (31.2 kg, P ≤ 0.079). Significantly fewer (almost none) of the L than the H piglets consumed creep feed (P < 0.001); significantly (P = 0.007) more F and M piglets were considered consumers than S piglets. The results suggest that irrespectively of birth weight, piglets tend to perform better when in M litters, being weaned heavy and having a high creep feed intake; however, more piglets are removed from such litters preweaning. Although S litters were weaned heavy, they were unable to maintain this BW advantage postweaning, due to their low creep feed intake and F litters remained small throughout. Long-term performance monitoring to slaughter is recommended.

Effects of timing of weaning on energy utilization in primiparous beef cows and post-weaning performance of their progeny1

Early weaning is used to minimize cow nutrient requirements in situations where feed inputs are scarce or expensive. For many years, maintenance energy requirements have been assumed to be 20% greater in lactating compared with non-lactating beef cows. While not well established, maintenance energy requirements are thought to be greatest in primiparous cows and to decline with age. Consequently, early weaning primiparous cow-calf pairs should improve overall efficiency, particularly in situations where mid-to-late lactation forage or feed nutritive value is low. The objective of this study was to determine the biological efficiency of early weaning and maintenance energy requirements of lactating versus non-lactating primiparous cows. Experiments were conducted in two consecutive years using 90 primiparous cows and their calves (48 in yr 1, 42 in yr 2). Pairs were randomly assigned to one of the six pens (8 pairs/pen yr 1, 7 pairs/pen yr 2) and pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments; (1) early weaning (130 d ± 15.4; EW, n = 6) and (2) traditional weaning (226 d ± 13.1; TW, n = 6). Late lactation cow and calf performance and feed consumption were measured for 92 d (yr 1) and 100 d (yr 2). Cows were limit-fed to meet maintenance requirements, while calves were offered ad libitum access to the same diet in a creep-feeding area. Calves were not allowed access to the cows' feed. Cow feed intake, body condition score, body weight (BW), milk yield and composition, and calf body weight gain and creep feed intake were recorded. After accounting for lactation and retained energy, there was a trend for greater maintenance energy requirements of lactating primiparous cows (P = 0.07). From the early weaning date to traditional weaning date, calf average daily gain (ADG) was greater (P < 0.01) for TW calves. Feed and energy efficiency of the pair was improved for the TW system (P < 0.01). Greater ADG were reported for EW calves during the stocker period (P = 0.03), but there were no differences during the finishing period (P > 0.40). At harvest, BW was greater (P = 0.02) and gain to feed ratio tended (P = 0.06) to be improved for TW calves. The increased TW calf performance offset the additional maintenance costs of their lactating dams, resulting in the TW system converting total feed energy to kilograms of calf BW gain more efficiently.