UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA FEEDING THE YOUNG PIG E. H. HUGHES AND HUGH HART BULLETIN 578 JULY, 1934 UNIVERSITY OF CALI FORNIA BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of California, Davis Libraries http://www.archive.org/details/feedingyoungpig578hugh FEEDING THE YOUNG PIG 1 E. H. HUGHES 2 and HUGH HAET 3 INTRODUCTION Because the young pig grows rapidly from weaning time until it reaches a weight of 75 pounds, it cannot be fed according to the stand- ards for the mature animal. In early life, its weight may be doubled in 8 to 14 days. At birth it usually weighs from 1.5 to 4 pounds; at weaning time, from 30 to 45 pounds; at 200 days often 200 pounds; and at ma- turity (about 2 years), from 300 up to as much as 1,000 pounds. The experiments reported herein were planned with two objectives in view: first, to devise diets without skim milk, buttermilk, or whey, to carry the pig successfully from weaning up to a weight of 75 pounds; second, to study the effect of these early diets upon the animal's later growth, development, and fattening, especially when fattening rations include barley as a major energy foodstuff. RATIONS AND FEEDS USED The following feeds were selected because they contained the necessary nutrients and accessory factors as well as being available to California producers. For rapid gain, it seemed necessary to provide rations having a low fiber content; a protein content of about 17 per cent; a sufficiency of vitamins A, B, D, and G; adequate mineral matter, particularly calcium and phosphorus, for optimum development of the skeleton and for other metabolic processes; and enough energy, water, and sunlight for growth and normal well-being. Barley used in these experiments was steam-rolled, locally grown feed barley of good quality — the most generally fed energy-producing cereal of the Pacific Coast, and an excellent source of phosphorus. As a feed for young pigs, it has certain limitations : its fiber content is somewhat higher than desirable, its supply of calcium and of vitamins A and D is low, and its protein is not adequate in quantity or quality for the rapidly growing young animals. Brewer's rice, a locally grown by-product of the rice-milling indus- try, furnishes abundant energy and is practically free of fiber. The protein, ash, and vitamin contents, however, are very low. i Received for publication March 16, 1934. 2 Associate Professor of Animal Husbandry and Associate Animal Husbandman in the Experiment Station. 3 Swine Herdsman. [3] 4 University of California — Experiment Station Dried skim milk contains casein and other milk proteins; lactose, a source of energy ; and considerable calcium and phosphorus, with other minerals. Tankage, a by-product of the meat-packing industry, contains an ex- tremely rich supply of protein, plus considerable calcium and phos- phorus. Fish meal, a by-product of the fishing industry, is, like tankage, rich in protein; and it has a similar calcium and phosphorus content. Wheat middlings contain about 17 per cent protein, abundant phos- phorus, but little calcium. This is a popular swine feed, giving the ration palatability and some bulk without materially increasing the percentage of fiber. Linseed oil meal contains a percentage of protein about one-half that of tankage. Because of the oil content, it is slightly laxative. Though rich in phosphorus, it is somewhat lacking in calcium. Chopped alfalfa hay of good quality was used, cut so that the longest pieces of the stem measured about 1 inch. This feed is relatively high in protein, in the fat-soluble vitamins, and in calcium; but it contains more fiber than any of the other feeds used. Mineral supplements fed included only salt and calcium carbonate. Vitamins furnished the pigs in these studies were those naturally present in the feeds provided. Water, shelter, shade, and sunlight were freely provided for the ex- perimental animals. EQUIPMENT, FEEDING, AND ANIMALS USED All feed lots used were of the same dimensions and were paved with con- crete. The houses, self-feeders, and water troughs were similar in size, construction, shape, and position. Before being put into the feeders, the feed was weighed and thoroughly mixed. Any part refused was deducted from the original weight. When two lots were pastured at the same time, the pasture was similar in kind and in area. The pigs used in these experiments were purebred Duroc- Jerseys and Poland Chinas, bred and raised at this Station. At the outset, the lots were divided as uniformly as possible, according to weight, thrift, sex, age, and breed. The pigs of the first experiment were farrowed in September or early in October, 1932; those of the second, in March, 1933. Both groups had been fed normal diets and had free access to pasture with their mothers before weaning. Bul. 578] Feeding the Young Pig EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Two experiments were conducted, each divided into two parts (desig- nated as experiments 1A and B; and experiments 2 A and B). The first dealt with pigs from the time of weaning till they weighed about 75 pounds; the second, with the same individuals throughout fattening. The rations were changed at the beginning of the second period, and all pigs were weighed individually each week. In order that the two divi- sions of the tests might be recognized readily, numerals were assigned to the lots in the first part, whereas letters were used for lots in the sec- ond phase of each experiment. The animals in lots A, B, etc., in experiments IB and 2B were taken equally from lots 1, 2, etc., of experiments 1A and 2A. Having individ- TABLE 1 Percentage Composition" of the Feeds Used Water Ash Crude protein Carbohydrates Fat Calcium Feed Fiber Nitrogen- free extract Phos- phorus 9.20 9.49 7.14 9.26 9.75 8.55 9.10 10.56 2.17 54 7.94 16.24 13.58 2.19 5 40 9.22 10.95 7.40 34.89 59.31 66.81 16.98 33.90 19.35 4 54 trace trace 1 30 trace 2.78 8.40 19.26 71 33 82.17 49.79 6.24 4.69 66 20 35.70 39.65 1 81 0.40 28 8.95 5.27 3 30 7.50 1.96 074 045 1.260 4.500 4 240 0.074 0.364 1.023 0.332 Brewer's rice Dried skim milk.. 0.106 1 060 2 770 3 060 Wheat middlings Linseed* oil meal Chopped alfalfa 441 0.742 0.309 * Henry, W. A., and F. B. Morrison. Feeds and feeding, a handbook for the student and stockman. p. 711. Henry-Morrison Co., Madison, Wisconsin. 1923. TABLE 2 Digestible Nutrients of the Feeds Used* Total dry matter in 100 pounds Digestible nutrients in 100 pounds Feed Crude protein Carbo- hydrates Fat Total Nutritive ratio pounds 90 80 90.51 92.86 90.74 90.25 91.45 90.90 89.44 pounds 8.43 4 59 34.89 42.11 47.44 14.09 28.82 13.74 pounds 63.48 75.60 49.79 6 24 4.69 57.76 30.61 36.83 pounds 80 36 0.28 8.95 5.27 2.74 5.25 0.74 pounds 73.71 81.00 85.31 68.49 63.99 78.02 71.24 52.24 1 1 1 1 1 1 7.74 16.65 Dried skim milk 1.44 0.63 0.35 4 54 1.47 Chopped alfalfa hay.... 2.80 * Figures used in computing this table from Henry, W. A., and F. B. Morrison. Feeds and feeding, hand book for the student and stockman, p. 722-727. Henry-Morrison Co., Madison, Wisconsin. 1923. 6 University of California — Experiment Station ual earmarks, each could be followed from one part of the experiment into the next. The initial and final weights of the pigs in experiments 1A and 2A were about 32 to 75 pounds, respectively. In experiments IB and 2B the initial weights approximated 75 pounds; and each pig was taken from the fattening pens upon reaching 200 pounds. Throughout these experiments the individuals were observed criti- cally for any lameness or stiffness, and for growth, thrift, and condition. COMPOSITION OF THE FEEDS Table 1 gives the percentage composition of all concentrates and of the alfalfa hay used in these tests. Except for linseed oil meal, the analyses reported were made at this Station. The percentage of dry matter, of digestible nutrients, and the nutritive ratios for the feeds appear in table 2. From the data in these two tables were determined the total digestible nutrients, the nutritive ratio, and the amounts of calcium and phosphorus in the experimental rations. EXPERIMENT 1A In developing diets for young weaned pigs, certain commonly accepted facts and impressions were considered. For these rapidly growing animals with a limited capacity, the rations used were relatively high in protein, mineral matter, energy, and accessory factors, but low in fiber. Palatability of and variety in the diet were also believed to be important. The three groups of pigs were fed in dry lot during the first part of the experiment. Rations Used in Experiment 1A. — The basal ration contained rolled barley, 30 pounds; brewer's rice, 30 pounds; wheat middlings, 15 pounds; linseed oil meal, 5 pounds; chopped alfalfa hay, 5 pounds; salt, 1 pound; and calcium carbonate, 1 pound. Lot 1 received the basal ration plus dried skim milk, 15 pounds. Lot 2 received the basal ration plus tankage, 15 pounds. Lot 3 received the basal ration plus fish meal, 15 pounds. As shown by table 3, the total dry matter in each ration was practi- cally the same. There was a difference of about 1 per cent in the digesti- ble crude protein in each, the content being least in lot 1 and greatest in lot 3. Lot 1 received a diet higher in digestible carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients and lower in fat than did the other groups. It had the widest nutritive ratio, with lots 2 and 3 following in the order named. Though the ratio of calcium to phosphorus does not differ greatly in the three rations, the smallest total amount of these substances was fed to lotl. Bul. 578] Feeding the Young Pig Experiment 1A began November 26, 1932, and ended January 14, 1933, having covered a feeding period of 49 days. In group 3 two pigs that died early in the experiment were not included in the results. Most of the pigs were weaned about a week before the test started and during TABLE 3 Digestible Nutrients, Nutritive Ratios, and Mineral Constituents of the Rations Used in Experiment 1A Total dry matter in 100 pounds Digestible nutrients in 100 pounds Nutritive ratio In 102 pounds of feed mixture Lot Crude protein Carbo- hydrates Fat Total Calcium Phosphorus 1 2 3 pounds 91 06 90.74 90.67 pounds 13.38 14.46 15.26 pounds 61.23 54 70 54.47 pounds 1.10 2.40 1.85 pounds 77.09 74.56 73.89 1 :4.75 1 : 4.18 1 : 3.84 pounds 0.705 1.191 1.152 pounds 0.409 0.666 0.709 that week were fed barley, tankage, wheat middlings, salt, lime, and alfalfa or green barley pasture. Throughout this part of the experiment most of the pigs grew fast. A few, however, did not thrive so well as the rest. In lot 2 one barrow and one gilt gained less rapidly than their mates. The eyes of the barrow TABLE 4 Results of Experiment 1A Lot Number of pigs Average initial weight Average final weight Average daily gain Feed consumed for 100 pounds of gain Dry matter con- sumed for 100 pounds of gain 1 2 3 18 18 16 pounds 32 11 31.56 31.69 pounds 83.56 72 33 79.13 pounds 1 05 0.83 0.97 pounds 288 55 318.26 290.25 pounds 262.75 288.79 263.17 watered; his hair was dry, harsh, and curly. In group 3 a barrow, at the end of the test, was very thin, his hair long, his tail straight, and his backbone very prominent. Several pigs, scattered throughout the lots, exhibited sore feet and some stiffness, probably caused by the rough concrete on which they were confined. The condition of the pigs in lot 1 was, however, such that they were all carried on into the second phase. Table 4 shows an excellent average daily gain for pigs weighing from 32 to 75 pounds. The animals fed tankage gained less rapidly and consumed more feed per unit of increase than those fed dried skim milk or fish meal. The pigs fed dried skim milk gained more rapidly and utilized their feed somewhat more efficiently than those on fish meal. The pigs in lot 1 were somewhat superior in thrift to those fed tankage or fish meal, and made more consistent gains from week to week. 8 University of California — Experiment Station EXPERIMENT IB Experiment IB was intended, first, to determine whether or not the character of the early feeding of pigs after weaning had any effect on their fattening; and, second, to increase the general knowledge of fat- tening rations. At the conclusion of the first part, the thrifty pigs were divided into two groups containing 24 pigs each. One half of those in each lot in the first part were placed in lot A; the other half, in lot B. Of these, 18 were from lot 1, 16 from lot 2, and 14 from lot 3. They were placed on feed January 14, 1933. Rations Used in Experiment IB. — Lot A received the following ration : Feed Pounds Rolled barley 84 Dried skim milk 3 Tankage 3 Fish meal 3 Chopped alfalfa hay : 5 Salt 1 Calcium carbonate 1 Lot B received the following ration : Feed Pounds Rolled barley 90 Chopped alfalfa hay 8 Salt 1 Calcium carbonate 1 Pasture (a mixture of barley, alfalfa, and natural grasses). Except for the pasture available to the second group, the two rations differed little in total dry matter or in total digestible nutrients (table 5). The digestible crude protein, the calcium, and the phosphorus were higher in the ration fed to lot A ; and the nutritive ratio was also con- siderably narrower. The green pasture accessible to the pigs in lot B provided some additional protein, and their feed had a higher vitamin A content than that of the other lot. As to protein and the- nutritive ratio, the diet of lot A seemed superior to that of lot B. TABLE 5 Digestible Nutrients, Nutritive Ratios, and Mineral Constituents o