Evaluating the effects of floor space allowance and pig removal from a group on the growth of finishing pigs

Abstract

A total of 1092 finishing pigs (initially 36.3 ± 1.2 kg BW) were used in a 117-d study to evaluate the impact of initial floor space allowance and removal strategy on the growth of finishing pigs up to 140 kg. There were 4 experimental treatments with 14 pens per treatment. The first treatment stocked pigs at 0.91 m2 (15 pigs/pen) throughout the duration of the study. The other 3 treatments initially stocked pigs at 0.65 m2 (21 pigs/pen) and were subject to 1 of 3 removal strategies. The second treatment (2:2:2) removed the 2 heaviest pigs from pens on d 64, 76, and 95. Treatment 3 (2:4) removed the 2 heaviest pigs on d 76 and the 4 heaviest pigs on d 105. Treatment 4 (6) removed the heaviest 6 pigs on d 105. All pigs remaining in pens after removals were fed to d 117. Overall (d 0 to 117), pigs initially provided 0.91 m2 of floor space had increased (P < 0.05) ADG compared with pigs in pens on the 2:4 or 6 removal strategy. Pigs initially provided 0.91 m2 of floor space had increased (P < 0.05) ADFI compared with pigs initially provided 0.65 m2 of floor space. Feed efficiency was poorer for pigs initially provided 0.91 m2 of floor space compared with pigs on the 2:2:2 or 2:4 removal strategy. Total BW gain per pen was greater (P < 0.05) for pens initially stocked at 0.65 m2 compared with pens initially stocked at 0.91 m2. Feed usage per pen was less (P < 0.05) for pens initially stocked at 0.91 m2 compared with pens initially providing 0.65 m2 of floor space and on removal strategies. Feed usage per pen was less (P < 0.05) for pigs on the 2:2:2 removal strategy compared with pigs on the 2:4 or the 6 removal strategy. In conclusion, increasing the floor space allowance or the time points at which pigs are removed from the pen improved the growth of pigs remaining in the pen.