Effect of space allowance and mixing on growth performance and body lesions of grower-finisher pigs in pens with a single wet-dry feeder.

摘要: Low space allowance (SA) and mixing may result in reduced growth performance (GP) animal welfare issues because of adverse social behaviours directed to pen mates. This could be exacerbated pens with single feeders owing facilitation feeding behaviour. The present study aimed investigate the effect SA on GP body lesions (BL) one wet-dry feeder. Two experiments were conducted grower-finisher pigs from 10 21 weeks age. In Exp1, (N = 216) assigned three SA; 0.96 m2/pig (n = 6 pens; pigs/pen; SA96), 0.84 m2/pig (n = 6; 12 SA84) 0.72 m2/pig 14 SA72), a randomized design. Exp2, (N = 230) used 2 × 2 factorial design considering as treatments. Pigs two (n = 10 SA96) 0.78 m2/pig (n = 10; 13 SA78) either mixed or not at entry finishing facility. was affected by (P > 0.05) experiment. non-mixed 5.4 kg heavier (P   0.05). Mixing had considerable thus, strategies avoid mitigate should considered. Although no performance, high number lower indicates that allowances equal below are detrimental despite following EU legislation.