EFFECTS OF RESTRICTING ACCESS TO FEED, FOR ONE OR TWO DAYS PER WEEK, ON THE PERFORMANCE OF FINISHING PIGS

Abstract

Sixty-four Yorkshire feeder pigs were separated on the basis of weight-for-age into two replicates (I, 311 g/day; II, 289 g/day), each being penned in groups of four barrows or four gilts. Pigs in each replicate were assigned to receive a 16% protein, barley-based diet ad libitum over the growing period (23–57 kg liveweight) and, subsequently, a similar diet to which access was prevented for 0, 1, 2 separated or 2 consecutive days per week, respectively, up to a market weight of 90 kg. Imposition of the restriction on access to feed significantly (P < 0.05) reduced average daily feed (ADF) and gain (ADG) during the finishing and overall periods but had little effect upon carcass measurements except for a significant (P < 0.05) linear reduction of dressing percentage. Pigs in replicate I and barrows in both replicates maintained their respective advantages in ADG and in ADF in spite of the imposed treatments, but gilts were still superior to barrows with respect to carcass measurements. Although the method of achieving intake restriction seemed particularly suitable for application where pigs are self-fed in groups, the potential benefit appeared to be limited to the finishing of barrows.