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Unpublished Paper
Grow-Finish Pigs Activity Levels When Fed Using a Feed Intake Recording Equipment (F.I.R.E.) Feeder
Animal Industry Report
  • Larry J. Sadler, Iowa State University
  • Anna K. Johnson, Iowa State University
  • John Newton, Iowa State University
  • Kenneth J. Stalder, Iowa State University
  • Jack C.M. Dekkers, Iowa State University
Extension Number
ASL R2468
Publication Date
2009
Disciplines
Topic
Swine
Summary and Implications

The objective of this study was to determine the appropriate hours during the day to score for grow-finish pigs in the main pen over a 24-h period when fed using a Feed Intake Recording Equipment feeder (FIRE ® ; Osborne Industries, Inc., Osborne, KS). This study used purebred Yorkshire grow-finish pigs that were housed in a conventional style finisher unit. Active category was created by combing standing, drinking and toy, which were analyzed over a 24-h period. These categories were then used to determine general activity patterns of the pigs. For activity level over time grow-finish pigs engaged in higher (P < 0.05) levels of activity during the 0900 and 1000 hours. Activity levels declined during the 1100 and 1200 hours; increasing again from 1300 until 1900. Activity levels stayed low until a short increase at 0100 and then remained low for 7 hours. Therefore when looking at activity patterns of purebred grow-finish Yorkshires fed under these conditions, it would be advantageous to observe the hours from 0900 through 1900 respectively.

Copyright Holder
Iowa State University
DOI
https://doi.org/10.31274/ans_air-180814-196
Language
en
Citation Information
Larry J. Sadler, Anna K. Johnson, John Newton, Kenneth J. Stalder, et al.. "Grow-Finish Pigs Activity Levels When Fed Using a Feed Intake Recording Equipment (F.I.R.E.) Feeder" (2009)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/kenneth_stalder/92/