Effects of Weaning Days on Feeding Performance and Behaviour of Piglets

자돈의 이유일령이 이유자돈의 육성성적 및 행동에 미치는 영향

This study was carried out to determine the effects of different weaning age on feeding performance and behaviour of piglets. Sixty crossbred(YLxD) litters of piglets were randomly alloted to be 15 pens with 4 piglets per pen and 5 pens per treatment by weaned at 14, 21, and 28 days. Pens were video-taped for 24 hours immediately at 7 weeks and 8 weeks of age. The piglets weaned at 14 and 21 days were significantly (P<0.05) much intake than piglets weaning at 28 days. The piglets weaning at 14 days were significantly lighter than piglets weaning at 14 and 21 days fro m2 weeks to 8 weeks age. However, feed conversion ration was significantly(P<0.05) improved according to late weaning days. Times spent engaged in Feeding, lying and walking were similar in piglets across weaning age. They also showed similar occurrence of drinking and agonistic behaviour at 7 weeks and 8 weeks of age. Piglets weaned at 14 days exhibited more belly-nosing behaviour at 7 weeks of age, but similar in piglets at 8 weeks of age across weaning age. We concluded that piglets performance influenced by weaning day, however time spent for feeding, lying and walking behaviour were no significance. Drinking, Agonistic and belly-nosing were not significantly different by weaning age.