Research Swine Growing-finishig 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.
Production trials
Objective
Determine the effect of for example:
- Feed composition
- Additives
On among others:
- Growth 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)
- Body weight (40kg, 70kg and at slaughter)
- Feed intake, growth, feed conversion ratio (40-70kg, 70-110kg, 40-110kg)
- Medical treatments (per pig)
- Standard carcass quality parameters (per pig)
We like to consult you on further possibilities
See fact sheet for more information
Objective
Determine the effect of for example:
- Feed composition
- Additives
On among others:
- 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
- Body weight
- Feed intake, growth, feed conversion ratio
- Faecal consistency
- Faecal samples (3 successive days; twice a day)
- Medical treatments (per pig)
- Mortality
We like to consult you on further possibilities
See fact sheet for more information