Space requirements of finishing pigs fed to an average pen weight of 250 pounds

Abstract

Space allowances of 6, 8, 10, and 12 ft^2 were evaluated for pigs fed from 130 lb to a pen average of 250 lb. Average daily gain and average daily feed intake. increased linearly (P<.05) as space allowance increased. However, those pigs permitted 10 or 12 ft^2 of space were similar in avg daily gain, avg daily feed intake, and feed efficiency, suggesting that 10 ft^2 of space is adequate for feeding finishing hogs to a heavier average pen weight. Coefficients of variation (CV) for initial weight and final weight were increased for pigs with 6 ft^2, whereas for those exposed to 10 and 12 ft^2, the CV was reduced, indicating more uniform pigs at final weight with greater space allowance.