Influence of feeder type on the performance and behaviour of weaned pigs

In this study, 1124 week-old pigs were allocated at weaning in groups of 20 to one of five feeder types. These consisted of two multi-space designs ('dry' and 'wet and dry'), two feeders with communal troughs ('communal-rectangular' and 'communal-circular') and a single-space feeder. All feeders supplied water except the 'dry' multi-space feeder, Feed disappearance was higher and food conversion was poorer with 'wet and dry' multi-space feeders than with all other feeder types (P < 0.05). Feeder type had no significant effect on growth rate. There was less competition at 'dry' multi-space feeders than at other feeder types and this was reflected in a reduction in feeder occupancy (P < 0.001). Aggressive behaviour was also lower with 'dry' multi-space feeders than with all other feeder types except the 'wet and dry' multi-space (P < 0.05). In terms of both performance and welfare, the 'dry' multi-space feeder appears to be the optimum feeder type for weaned pigs. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.