Some effects of alternating high and low levels of feed intake on the performance and composition of the growing pig

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Abstract
SUMMARY Three experiments were carried out in which the level of feed intake of pigs growing from approximately 30 to 90 kg was alternately raised and lowered, using different amplitudes and time-periods. Within each experiment, the total feed intake and the length of the experimental period were the same for all treatment-groups. The two amplitudes which were examined were 112%–88% and 125 %–75% of standard scales of feeding. The time-periods between switches to the alternate level were 1, 3, 7 or 14 days. The impact of the fluctuations in feed intake on overall performance and carcass composition was either trivial or small, and in no case exceeded 5% for any one measurement. It is concluded that fluctuations in feed intake occurring in practical situations will have only trivial effects on performance, provided that pigs receive similar amounts of feed in the same overall period of time.