Incidence and Inheritance of Splayleg in Nebraska Litter Size Selection Lines

(treatment main effect) during phase I, II and the overall experimental period. However, there were numerical increases in ADG, ADFI and feed efficiency with the additions of the VTMM premix and B-safety pak. Increases in ADG and ADFI were observed as the VTMM premix was added at 100% of the NRC 1998 requirements for 5 to 45 lb pigs (ADG: NC = 0.744 lb/d, trt 1 = 0.770 lb/d; ADFI: NC = 1.152 lb/d, trt 1 = 1.194 lb/d). Numerically, ADFI and ADG were maximized at the 300% premix addition (ADG = 0.822 lb/d, ADFI = 1.281 lb/d). Pigs receiving the UNL diet performed equal to or slightly greater than pigs receiving treatment 4 (VTMM 300%, B-safety pak 300% of the NRC 1998 requirements for 5 to 45 lb pigs). Feed efficiency (ADG/ADFI) was improved with the addition of the VTMM premix at 300% of the NRC 1998 requirements for 5 to 45 lb pigs (ADG/ADFI = 0.641). Overall , pigs receiving higher concentrations of the VTMM premix and the B-safety pak or the UNL diet had numerically greater ADG and ADFI than pigs receiving the negative control. Conclusion Overall, there were no significant differences in ADG, ADFI or feed efficiency when adding supplemental vitamins to the diet. However, there were numerical increases in ADG and ADFI as the supplemental premixes were added to the diet. These numerical differences suggest that growth performance is increased as the VTMM and B-safety pak premixes are supplemented to the diet. In addition, results suggest that the concentration of vitamins/ minerals used in diets at the University of Nebraska is adequate given that the pigs consuming this diet performed as well as those consuming other dietary treatments. Data from other stations and data from this trial will be combined in order to form premixes with concentrations sufficient to support maximal growth performance. Collectively, these results will help identify vitamin and mineral premixes that can be used in future multi-site cooperative swine nutrition projects. Incidence of abnormalities at birth is low in most populations, but accounts for a significant proportion of preweaning deaths. Splayleg pigs (SL) is the most common defect in newborn pigs and a high percentage of SL pigs die before weaning. In research at other institutions, SL incidence was associated with the Landrace breed and with large litters ; however, a genetic association with litter size was not demonstrated. The University of …