GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND BEHAVIOUR OF WEANLING PIGS RAISED IN MAIZE STRAW ENRICHED PEN

Abstract

Straw used as bedding materials serves both as recreational and nutritional substrates for pigs and has been reported to improve swine welfare. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of maize straw on the growth performance and behaviour of weaner pigs. Thirty-six (large white x Landrace) weaner pigs were randomly distributed into four treatments (concrete floor, maize straw at 0.1m, 0.2m and 0.3m depth) with each treatment having three replicates and three pigs per replicate. Data were collected on growth parameters and behavioural indices. There was significant (p<0.05) difference in interaction effect on feed conversion ratio (FCR) across the bedding types and depth. Pigs on concrete floor had FCR of 4.72 that was significantly (p<0.05) greater than 3.83, 3.53 and 3.49 found in pigs on 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3m depth of maize straw bedding, respectively. There were significant (p<0.05) differences between pigs on concrete flooring and those on maize straw enriched bedding for final body weight (FBW), weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Overall levels of measured behavioural activity differed between the treatments; where animals on maize straw spent significantly higher time on exploratory behaviours, while they spent considerably lower time on manipulative oral behaviours. It can be concluded that pigs reared on maize straw bedding, particularly at 0.3m depth performed more exploratory behaviour, less aggressive behaviour, and had better welfare