Effects of Providing Enrichment Cubes to Suckling Pigs in Late Lactation and After Weaning on Post-Weaning Pig Performance

A total of 28 litters (241 × 600, DNA) and 356 nursery pigs DNA; initially 12.5 lb) were used in 28-d trial (4-d pre-weaning 24-d post-weaning) to determine the effect providing enrichment cubes (supersized pellets that resemble cattle range size from 1.1 2.0 in. length 0.6 0.8 diameter) suckling late lactation after weaning on post-weaning feed intake growth. Treatments arranged a 2 factorial with main effects of: 1) treatment (without or cubes); 2) (with without 3) body weight category (light heavy). Overall, did not have significant piglet (P = 0.976) ADG; however, offered prior had improved G:F 0.017) nursery. Post-weaning cube application no growth performance weaning. The percentage lost was reduced by 11.7 points when for 3 d compared 0.002). Conversely, percent In summary, appears encourage activity around feeder, therefore reducing However, more research is needed validate these results commercial setting better understand morbidity mortality.