Flohr, J. R.Woodworth, Jason C.Tokach, Michael D.Dritz, Steven S.DeRouchey, Joel M.Goodband, Robert D.Gourley, G.2017-02-142017-02-14http://hdl.handle.net/2097/35122Citation: Flohr, J. R., Woodworth, J. C., Tokach, M. D., Dritz, S. S., DeRouchey, J. M., Goodband, R. D., & Gourley, G. (2016). Evaluating the effects of floor space allowance and pig removal from a group on the growth of finishing pigs. Journal of Animal Science, 94, 7-8. doi:10.2527/msasas2016-016A 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.© 2016 American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved. This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).http://www.sherpa.ac.uk/romeo/issn/1525-3163/Finishing PigMarketingStocking DensityAgricultureArticle