The performance and carcass characterisics of growing pigs fed once or twice daily

Abstract

In a series of group feeding trials 66 Large White pigs at one centre and 64 Berkshire pigs at another were fed similar amounts of food in either one or two meals daily from shortly after weaning until they reached about 172 lb liveweight. Performance was compared from weaning to 100 lb liveweight (approximately) and subsequently from 100 lb to slaughter. Over the whole period Large White pigs, fed once daily at one centre, converted food more efficiently (P<0.05), the difference being greater (P<0.001) after 100 lb. Their daily gain was also faster (P<0.01) during this final period. Berkshire pigs, fed once daily at the other centre, converted food less efficiently (P<0.05) over the whole period, but the difference was not significant initially. They grew more slowly (P<0.05) at first but there was no difference during the final period or overall. Carcasses were appraised but there was no evidence of any difference in the characteristics examined. The carcass dressing percentage was greater (P<0.05) from pigs fed their full daily allowance, in one meal, on the morning of their dispatch to the more distant factory.