title: The effects of feeder design and dietary dried distillers' grains with solubles on the performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs.
abstract: Three experiments were conducted to compare the effects of a conventional dry (five 30.5-cm spaces 152.4 cm wide; Staco Inc., Schaefferstown, PA) vs. a wet-dry (double sided; each side = 38.1-cm space; Crystal Spring; GroMaster Inc., Omaha, NE) finishing feeder (Exp. 1 and 2) and to evaluate the effects of feeder design and dietary level of dried distillers' grains with solubles (DDGS; >10% oil; Exp. 3) on performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs. In Exp. 1, 1,186 pigs (32.1 kg BW) were used in a 69-d experiment. There were 26 to 28 pigs per pen and 22 pens per feeder design, and all pigs received the same diets in 4 phases. In Exp. 2, 1,236 pigs (28.7 kg BW) were used in a 104-d experiment, with 25 to 28 pigs per pen and 23 pens per feeder design, and all pigs received the same diets in 5 phases. Carcass measurements were obtained from 11 pens of each feeder design after harvest. In Exp. 3, 1,080 pigs (35.1 kg BW) were used in a 99-d 2 × 2 factorial with main effects of feeder design (dry vs. wet-dry feeders) and DDGS (20 vs. 60%) with 10 pens of 27 pigs per treatment and all diets fed in 4 phases. Jowl fat samples were collected from 2 pigs per pen for fatty acid analysis and iodine value (IV) determination. In all experiments, pigs fed with the wet-dry feeder had greater (P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, and final BW. In Exp. 2 and 3, HCW and backfat depth were increased (P < 0.05) for pigs fed with a wet-dry feeder, but G:F and fat-free lean index (FFLI) were reduced. Jowl IV was also reduced (P < 0.05) with a wet-dry feeder in Exp. 3. Pigs fed 60% DDGS in Exp. 3 had decreased (P < 0.05) ADG, G:F, final BW, HCW, and backfat but increased jowl IV and a tendency (P < 0.07) toward greater FFLI regardless of feeder type. In conclusion, pigs fed with this specific type of wet-dry feeder had improved ADG and ADFI, poorer G:F, and increased backfat depth compared to pigs fed with a conventional dry feeder. The poorer growth performance and increased jowl IV of pigs fed diets with 60% DDGS was similarly exhibited for pigs fed on both feeders.
authors: Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, College of Agriculture.
authors: J R
authors: JR
authors: Bergstrom
authors: Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, College of Agriculture.
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: Nelssen
authors: Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, College of Agriculture.
authors: M D
authors: MD
authors: Tokach
authors: Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine; Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506-0201.
authors: S S
authors: SS
authors: Dritz
authors: Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, College of Agriculture goodband@ksu.edu.
authors: R D
authors: RD
authors: Goodband
authors: Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, College of Agriculture.
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: DeRouchey
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002523:Edible Grain; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006799:Housing, Animal; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards; D013552:Swine / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology
keywords: dried distillers’ grains with solubles; feeder design; finishing pigs