EFFECTS OF INDIVIDUAL VS GROUP PENNING ON THE PERFORMANCE OF WEANLINGPIGS

Two experiments (five trials) were conducted to determine the effects of individual vs group penning on the performance of 4-wk-old crossbre d barrows and gilts. In each experiment, half the pigs were tested in a group pen (four pigs) for two 7-d periods and individually for one 7 -d period and the other pigs were fed individually for two periods and as a group for one period. In Exp. 1 (two trials, each with five repl icates of eight pigs), individually penned pigs had physical and visua l contact with pigs in the adjoining pens; in Exp. 2 (three trials, ea ch with five replicates of eight pigs), such contact was denied. Growt h rate, feed intake, and feed efficiency were determined at the end of each period. In addition, during Trial 3 of Exp. 2 blood samples were collected at the end of each period and plasma was assayed for cortis ol and triiodothyronine (T-3) concentrations. Penning sequences produc ed inconsistent weight gains and feed intake. Differences in gain favo red (P <.04) the individually penned pigs during Trial 3 of Exp. 2 and differences in feed intake favored the individually penned pigs durin g Trial 2 of Exp. 1 (P <.009) and during Trials 2 and 3 of Exp. 2 (P < .02 and P <.009, respectively). Penning treatment had no effect on fee d efficiency, plasma cortisol, or T-3 concentrations. These data sugge st that pigs perform equally well whether fed and housed individually or in groups, with no indications of stress associated with individual pens and isolation.