Vol. 10, Issue 3, Part D (2025)

Author(s): P Ravi

Abstract: The present study was carried out to investigate post-weaning maintenance behaviour of piglets under different weaning and feeding regimes at Swine Production Farm, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India. Two groups (C and T, respectively) of nine pregnant gilts each were randomly selected from a total of eighteen pregnant gilts (62.5% Landrace and 37.5% Desi). Following birth, the piglets in the control group were retained as control and weaned after being permitted to nurse their mothers for 56 days. The piglets in the other half (T) that weighed more than 1.2 kg at birth were weaned at 28 days, while the remaining, relatively lighter piglets were weaned at 42 days. In control group (T₁) weaned piglets were again distributed into 3 subgroups with 15 piglets in each group, and these piglets were fed with 100% concentrate ration, 50% concentrate and 50% kitchen waste, and 100% kitchen waste. The split weaned heavier half piglets (T₂) and lighter half (T₃) were distributed into 3 subgroups and fed the same as the control groups. Each of the chosen animals was kept in a comparable concrete-floored pen with a run space behind it, as well as individual feeders and water facilities. A 24-hour study on the maintenance behaviours of weaned piglets was recorded from the second week after weaning onwards by using a qualified veterinarian on a rotation basis. The maintenance behaviour of weaned piglets was recorded as sleeping, standing, sitting, roaming, wallowing, feeding, urination, defecation, drinking, and licking. It was observed that treatment could not influence any post-weaning maintenance behaviour in weaned piglets except in the duration of sleeping. Duration of sleeping (in min) was highest (p<0.05) in T₂ (475.17±8.15), followed by T₃ (469.75±6.48) and lowest in T₁ (467.67±6.01). Diet had significant (p<0.01) influences on the duration (in min) of sleeping, standing, sitting, roaming, feeding, defecation, drinking, and licking. In summary, this study showed that the performance and welfare of pigs are affected differently by various weaning and feeding schedules. To reduce stress and encourage healthy growth, pig production feeding schedules must be carefully considered.