A note on the growth and serum proteins of piglets deprived of creep food

Abstract

ABSTRACTThirty-four pairs of sucking piglets, derived from six sow pairs, within which piglets were cross-fostered shortly after birth, were allotted to either a creep-food treatment or a control (no creep food). Piglets were weaned at 6 weeks of age and all were given a grower diet to slaughter at 9 weeks of age. There were no differences in carcass composition determined on piglets killed at 6 and at 9 weeks. Creep-fed piglets were heavier than controls at 6 and 9 weeks of age, but not at 3 weeks. There were no distinct differences in any of the blood serum samples obtained at 1, 3, 5 and 6 weeks of age for protein and albumin analysis, and zinc sulphate turbidity assay. It was concluded that there was no positive immunological response to the early provision of supplementary nutrients, although there was a positive growth response to creep feeding between 3 weeks of age and weaning at 6 weeks.