Feed flavors in swine starter rations

Abstract

Nursing litters given a choice of flavored or unflavored diets responded by consuming more flavored diet. Pre-weaning feeding did alter the preference patterns of the post-weaned pigs. Pigs fed only basal ration as creep exhibited a varied preference pattern during the post-weaning preference trial. Pigs with access to flavored diet during the creep period exhibited a continued preference for the flavored diet during the post-weaning phase. Average daily feed intake, average daily gain, and the feed/gain ratios were similar for post-weaned pigs offered only flavored or control diet regardless of the pre-weaning treatment.