Swine Research
Swine research
The research ion nutrition is done on gestation and lactations sows, (weaned) piglets and growing finishing pigs. An overview of the possibilities per category are described. Research done at Schothorst Feed Research is carried out conform the standards of the Animal Experiment Committee to secure animal welfare
See fact sheet for more information
Research_Swine_Sows
Animals and facilities
The SFR sow herd consists of 240 breeding sows (Yorkshire Z x Finnish Landrace) and 20 pure Finnish Landrace sows, that are inseminated with Finnish Landrace boar for own replacement. The gestation sows are individually housed in 188 pens. The farrowing pens are set up conform practice, but with a special feeder. To benefit research a 1 week system is used.
In 2011-2012 pig facilities are rebuild and the sow herd will be extended to 350 sows. In the new facilities the gestation sows will housed in group-housing with feeding stations. With those feeding stations it is still possible to feed the sows in group housing different types of feed (maximum 6). In 2010 the sows weaned 28.9 piglets/sow/year (weaning age 28 days)
Type of research
Below the possibilities for research are described.
o Production trials
o Digestibility trials
Production trials
Objective
o Determine the effect of for example:
o Feed composition
o Additives
o On among others:
o Performance
Trial set up
Sow trials can be done in all stages of the cycles; gestation, lactation, interval weaning –oestrus and a combination of all. Depending on the expected effect 2 to 6 treatments with 20-40 sows per treatment can be selected. Sows are allocated to treatments according to parity. It is also possible to perform registration trials conform EU standards.
Standard observations
o Feed intake sow
o Weight and backfat development sow
o TB, LB, DB
o Individual growth piglets
o Creep feed intake per litter
o Mortality
o …We like to consult you on further possibilities
Digestibility trials
Objective
o Determine the effect of for example:
o Feed composition
o Additives
o On among others:
o Faecal digestibility coefficients
Trial set up
The faecal digestibility can be determined in gestation and lactation sows. The protocol used for the digestibility trials is based on the standard CVB protocol for digestibility studies in pigs. To determine the faecal digestibility HCL insoluble ash or TiO2 are used as indigestive markers. Depending on the expected effect 2 to 6 treatments with 20 sows per treatment can be selected. Sows are allocated to treatments according to parity.
Standard observations
o Feed intake sow
o Weight and backfat development sow
o Digestibility coefficients
o …We like to consult you on further possibilities
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Research_Swine_Weaned piglets
Animals and facilities
For research with weaned piglets there are several facilities available at Schothorst Feed Research. The weaned piglet facility consists of 8 departments with 10 pens each. In every pen 6 piglets are housed. The pens have a semi-slatted floor and floor heating. The piglets can be fed restricted or ad lib. The design of the pens ensures sufficient trough space per piglet in experiments with restricted feeding. Furthermore there are 4 departments of 6 pens which can house 15 piglets each. The trials with weaned piglets start immediately after weaning. The duration of the trial depends on the type of trial and can vary between 28 and 42 days. Schothorst feed Research also has laboratory cages where 36 piglets can be housed individually. These cages are specially fit for balance, digestibility and challenge trials.
Type of research
Below the possibilities for research are described.
o Production trials
o Digestibility trials
o Challenge trials
Production trials
Objective
o Determine the effect of for example:
o Feed composition
o Additives
o On among others:
o Growth
o Feed conversion ratio
Trial set up
Depending on the expected effect 2 to 6 treatments with 10-12 replicates (6 piglets per replicate) can be selected. Piglets are weaned at 21 days and allocated to the treatments based on age, weight, health status and offspring. The trials with weaned piglets start immediately after weaning and last 28 days. Registration trials last 42 days and are set up conform EU demands.
Standard observations (per pen)
o Body weight (day 0, 14 en 28 of 42 post weaning)
o Feed intake, growth, feed conversion ratio (d0-14, d14-28, d0-28 and d0-42 post weaning)
o Faecal consistency (twice a week)
o Medical treatments (per piglet)
o Mortality
o …We like to consult you on further possibilities
See fact sheet for more information
Digestibility trials
Objective
o Determine the effect of for example:
o Feed composition
o Additives
o On among others:
o Faecal digestibility coefficients
Trial set up
The digestibility of piglets can be determined faecal and ileal. The trials are carried out in a laboratory facility using a maximum number of 36 piglets. For ileal digestibility the a fistula can be used to increased the frequency of measuring. The protocol used for the digestibility trials is based on the standard CVB protocol for digestibility studies in pigs. To determine the faecal digestibility HCL insoluble ash or TiO2 are used as indigestive markers. Digestibility studies in these facilities can easily be extended with additional measurements e.g. challenge trials or in-depth gut studies to investigate intestinal tissue morphology, passage rate, gut micro flora etc.
Standard observations
o Body weight (day 0, 4, 11 and 15 post weaning and end of the trial)
o Feed intake, growth, feed conversion ratio
o Faecal samples (d18-d20; twice a day)
o Medical treatments (per piglet)
o Mortality
o …We like to consult you on further possibilities
See fact sheet for more information
Challenge trials
Schothorst Feed Research has developed facilities and a E.coli challenge model to carry out challenge trials. Below is a description of the current model, but Schothorst Feed Research is working on the development of a new challenge model.
Objective
o Determine the effect of for example:
o Feed composition
o Additives
o On among others:
o Faecal excretion of E. coli
Trial set up
Challenge trials are carried out in the laboratory facilities using a maximum number of 36 piglets. In these trials 2 to 8 treatments with 8 replicates (1 piglet per replicate) can be set up all at once or in 2 times. The piglets received the experimental diets 5 days after weaning at 26 days of age. The piglets are inoculated on day 18 and 19 post weaning with a specific pathogenic E.coli.
Standard observations:
- Body weight (day 0 , day 5 (transfer to lab facility), day 16 and day 28 post weaning).
- Body temperature (day 16, 19, 20,21 en 22 post weaning).
- Faecal consistency
- Faecal samples to measure E.coli excretion (day 16, 19, 21, 23, 26 and 28 post weaning).
- Faecal samples (twice a day; day 19, 20 and 21)
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Research_Swine_Growing-finishing pigs
Animals and facilities
On a yearly basis 5500 growing finishing pigs are reared in Schothorst Feed Research facilities. In 2010 a average growth of 835 g/d with an EW-conversion rate of 2.90 and a lean meat percentage of 56.6% was realised. Most of the growing-finishing pigs are kept in the practical scale facility and around 800 pigs each year are kept in the small scale research facilities.
In the practical scale facility the pigs are kept more conform practice and therefore results of trials can be applied in practice more easily. The facility on practical scale consists of 18 departments containing each 8 pens with 10 pigs per pen. The experimental facility consist or 6 departments with all 8 pens (6 pigs per pen) with semi-slatted floors. These small scale research facilities can be used for more detailed measurements. Schothorst feed Research also has laboratory cages where 18 growing-finishing pigs can be housed individually. These cages are specially fit for balance and digestibility trials.
Type of research
Below the possibilities for research are described.
o Production trials
o Digestibility trials
Production trials
Objective
o Determine the effect of for example:
o Feed composition
o Additives
o On among others:
o Growth
o Feed conversion ratio
Trial set up
The experimental facility consist or 6 departments with all 8 pens (6 pigs per pen). Depending on the expected effect 4 to 8 treatments with 10-12 replicates (6 pigs per replicate) can be selected. Experimental diets can be fed restricted as well as ad lib. These small scale research facilities can be used for more detailed measurements.
The facility on practical scale consists of 18 departments containing each 8 pens with 10 pigs per pen. Depending on the expected effect 2 to 6 treatments with 10-12 replicates (6 pigs per replicate) can be selected. It is also possible to perform registration trials conform EU standards.
Standard observations (per pen)
o Body weight (40kg, 70kg and at slaughter)
o Feed intake, growth, feed conversion ratio (40-70kg, 70-110kg, 40-110kg)
o Medical treatments (per pig)
o Standard carcass quality parameters (per pig)
o …We like to consult you on further possibilities
See fact sheet for more information
Digestibility trials
Objective
o Determine the effect of for example:
o Feed composition
o Additives
o On among others:
o Faecal digestibility coefficients
Trial set up
Faecal digestibility trials are carried out using a maximum number of 48 individually housed pigs, body weight from 25 to 100 kg. Depending on the expected effect 2 to 8 treatments with 6-8 replicates can be selected. For more detailed measurements the trials are carried out in a laboratory facility using a maximum number of 18 individually housed pigs. Preliminary to the digestibility trial, an adaptation of a minimum period of 2 weeks in which the experimental diet are supplied is required. The protocol used for the digestibility trials is based on the standard CVB protocol for digestibility studies in pigs. To determine the faecal digestibility HCL insoluble ash or TiO2 are used as indigestive markers.
Standard observations
o Body weight
o Feed intake, growth, feed conversion ratio
o Faecal consistency
o Faecal samples (3 successive days; twice a day)
o Medical treatments (per pig)
o Mortality
o …We like to consult you on further possibilities
See fact sheet for more information