A modified reduced nocturnal temperature regimen for early-weaned pigs.

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Swine Nutrition
• Animal Husbandry

Background:

• Newly weaned pigs are susceptible to environmental stressors, impacting their growth and performance.
• Nursery temperature management is critical for optimizing piglet health and productivity.
• Previous research indicates temperature fluctuations can influence feed intake and growth rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a modified reduced nocturnal (MRNT) nursery temperature regimen on weaned pig performance.
• To assess subsequent grower-finisher performance following the MRNT nursery treatment.
• To determine if reduced nocturnal temperatures affect feed intake, daily gain, and feed conversion.

Main Methods:

• A four-trial experiment was conducted with 3- to 4-week-old weaned pigs.
• Two nursery temperature treatments were compared: a control temperature (CT) and a modified reduced nocturnal (MRNT) regimen.
• The MRNT regimen involved lowering the temperature by 6°C during nighttime hours (1900-0700) starting one week post-weaning.

Main Results:

• Pigs in the MRNT treatment exhibited significantly faster weight gain compared to the CT group (P < .01).
• Increased feed intake was observed in the MRNT group during the nursery phase (P < .005).
• No significant differences were found in feed conversion during the nursery phase or in any performance metrics (average daily gain, average daily feed, gain/feed) during the subsequent grower-finisher phase.

Conclusions:

• Implementing a modified reduced nocturnal temperature scheme enhances feed intake and growth rates in newly weaned pigs.
• The benefits of the MRNT regimen on early growth do not appear to have carry-over effects on later grower-finisher performance.
• Optimizing nursery temperature through reduced nocturnal settings is a viable strategy for improving early piglet performance without compromising later growth stages.