Effect of liquid feeding at different water-to-feed ratios on the growth performance of growing-finishing pigs.

摘要

The study examined the growth performance of pigs offered liquid feed or dry feed on either a restricted or an ad libitum basis, and whether their growth performance was further influenced by the water-to-feed ratio. The study was split into two parts to enable unrestricted (trial 1; n=64) and restricted (trial 2; n=48) feeding to be compared. Male pigs were randomly allocated to six dietary treatment groups. A standard dry pellets diet (D) was offered either as: (i) unrestricted ration (UR); (ii) restricted ration (R); or D soaked in water at a feed-to-water ratio of (iii) 1:1.5 restricted (1:1.5 R); (iv) 1:3 unrestricted (1:3 UR); (v) 1:3 restricted (1:3 R); or (vi) 1:3 restricted with the addition of lactic acid to adjust the feed to pH 4 (1:3(4) R). Liquid feeding improved (P<0.05) average daily live-weight gain (ADG) and lean tissue growth rate (LTGR) in the 1:3 UR compared with DUR but did not alter feed conversion ratio (FCR). Within the R groups, ADG were greater in all of the 1:3 diets, whereas feed intake, and hence FCR, was lower (P<0.001) in these groups when offered the R ration. In conclusion, liquid feeding has a beneficial influence on the performance of modern porcine genotypes during the growth/finishing phase and this is further modulated by the water-to-feed ratio.