Effects of post-weaning nutritional conditions on isowean pigs

This study quantities the responses of isowean pigs to post-weaning nutriti onal conditions as may be encountered during extended shipment. PIC breedin g stock pigs at 8 to 12 days of age (3.5 to 4.0 kg body weight) were subjec ted to four nutritional regimens for 72 h. The pigs were then raised with a d libitum feeding for 14 days. Thermoneutral environments were used through out the experiment. Pigs deprived of feed and water (i.e., Fast) had higher body weight loss (of 0.61 kg/pig or 17% of their initial body weight) as c ompared with pigs provided with feed and water supplement (0.39 kg/pig or 1 1% of their initial body weight) or water supplement only (0.43 kg/pig or 1 1.5% IBW) (P < 0.05). All the treatments led to significant rise in blood u rea nitrogen but fall in blood glucose (P < 0.05). However the glucose leve ls were much higher than the generally considered hypoglycemic level (75 mg /dL). All pigs showed a similar degree of dehydration, as evidenced by elev ated hematocrit and blood electrolyte concentrations (P < 0.05). The physio logical responses returned to normal during the 14-day growth period and we re similar for all the pigs. The results suggest that isowean pigs (PIC gen etic line) responded well to post-weaning nutritional conditions typically encountered during extended shipments. Supply of bacteria-resistant water s upplement such as Aqua-Jel seemed beneficial in reducing stress and may be considered for extended commercial shipment. However; in-transit supply of feed added little benefit to the pigs and thus may be omitted. This omissio n has special implications for international shipments because certain coun tries prohibit inclusion of feed in shipment. The energetics data of this s tudy may be used to design and operate ventilation systems in transportatio n and production facilities for the isowean pigs.