Pigs need more time to consume diets in mash form than consuming pellets. In summary, the optimal number of pigs per feeder hole can be calculated based on the total time for pigs to consume the adequate amount of feed to meet their nutrient requirements.
Slow growing pigs increase growth rate during the nursery period when provided feeder space at 1.6 pigs/feeder hole compared to slow-growing pigs at 4 pigs/feeder hole (He et al 2018). For instance, newly weaned pigs eat the solid feed sooner when provided ample feeder space at 3.8 pigs/feeder hole than at 7.5 pigs/feeder hole (Laskoski et al, 2019). On the other hand, providing ample feeder space beyond the recommendation can have some benefits to pig welfare and slow-growing pigs. For instance, nursery pigs experienced a decrease in weight gain at 12.5 pigs/feeder hole compared to 10 pigs/feeder hole, regardless of diet form (Laitat et al, 2004). When the number of pigs per feeder hole is higher than the recommendation, growth performance can be compromised. Pigs can adapt to a wide range of feeder space without influencing feed intake or growth performance when the number of pigs per feeder hole is lower than the recommendation. Historically, 4 to 11 pigs/feeder hole are recommended for nursery pigs depending on the diet form (mash vs. Source: University of Minnesota Extension Group size did not affect the total eating time, meaning that group size does not influence the number of pigs per feeder hole. In their study, nursery pigs were housed in groups of 30, 40, or 50. Then the recommended number of pigs per feeder hole was 6.5 and 10.2 pigs for eating mash and pellet diets, respectively. Laitat et al, (2004) reported that nursery pigs spent 175 min per day eating a mash diet and 113 min per day consuming a pellet diet. We can estimate the number of pigs per feeder hole for nursery pigs using the same method mentioned above. For instance, if a growing/finishing pig spent 107 min eating per day, the number of pigs per feeder hole is 11 (1152 min/106 min = 11 pigs/feeder hole). The number of pigs per feeder hole is calculated by dividing 1,152 min (19 hours) by the total eating time in minutes. Being occupied by pigs for 19 hours (or 1,152 minutes) per day, a feeder hole can feed 11 growing and finishing pigs, based on results from the research (Li et al, 2017). This means that the feeder should be used by pigs for 19 hours per day instead of 24 hours. It is recommended that a feeder should be occupied by pigs 80% of the time to maintain performance and welfare (Li et al, 2017). Recommended number of pigs per feeder hole of a dry feeder Production stage Pigs with a body weight of 75-85 kg spend a similar amount of time consuming their diet compared to pigs with a body weight of 35-45 kg (Table 1). Do we need to give them more time to consume their diet as they grow? The answer is no, because pigs eat faster as they grow. So, pork producers can use the information to estimate the potential of their feeders. The good news is that research has been conducted to determine the total eating time of pigs under different circumstances (Gonyou and Lou, 2000). Likewise, it takes longer for pigs to eat from a dry feeder compared with eating from a wet/dry feeder where the feed is mixed with water (Table 1).
For instance, pigs need more time to consume a diet in mash form than a diet in pellet form. The total eating time varies with the form of the diet. Using the total eating time needed to consume the expected amount of feed, we can calculate the potential of the feeder (Li et al, 2017). This will depend on the amount of feed being consumed by the pigs and how much time they need to consume the feed. The potential of the feeder is the maximal number of pigs that can be fed from it. For pork producers, optimal feed space should maintain the performance and welfare of pigs, while achieving the potential of the feeder. Without adequate feed intake, their growth performance can be compromised. Feeder access can influence whether pigs consume enough feed to meet their nutritional needs.
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