Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Gartenbau

Behaviour & Welfare

Body Composition

Carcass & Meat Quality

Feed & Feed Tehnologies

Housing & System Trials

Performance Trials

Piglet feeding 3 compartments of 60 piglets with 6 pens of 10 animals each 1 compartment for 60 piglets with 4 pens of 15 animals each. With 2 types of feed per compartment 3 or 2 pens per type of feed, usually 4-5 runs (compartments) are used for a trial, which are occupied weekly in succession. Feeding is done by dry feeders, which are fed by hand. Each feed is weighed, so we always record feed data per group. Animal weighings are single animal weighings and can be done as often as the experiment requires. Usually at the beginning and end and when the feed is changed. The piglets come from our own sow herd (5 sows per weekly group) and are available in a quantity of approx. 60-70 piglets per week (Genetik Topigs TN 70). We usually purchase the feed from the Altmärkische Kraftfutterwerk in Rittleben or from the Raiffeisen Kraftfutterwerk in Osterburg. These also mix according to our wishes. As a rule, pelleted feed is fed Recorded parameters: Weights (individual animal, measuring interval depending on test requirements), feed quantity (pen-related, period depending on test requirements), disease frequencies (type of disease, treatment), possibly fecal condition, possibly blood samples. The LLG has the right of publication (in agreement with the trial partner, it is also written in the contract). There are only joint trials, pure contract trials are not performed. Therefore the costs are shared and both partners have the right to use the results. At the end, an experimental report is prepared. Experiments for which an animal experiment notification is required are carried out only in exceptional cases. The language for all documents (contract, experimental report etc.) is German only. If English documents are required, they have to be translated by the trial partner. The results will be published on the homepage of the LLG, in agricultural journals, at lectures and relevant conferences (e.g. Forum Fulda, conference Uni Halle etc.). The publications will be coordinated with the trial partner in advance. Duration of the trial: 43 days per run. With 5 runs (= 5 compartments) approx. 15 weeks + evaluation time Fattening pigs 8 compartments of 48 animals in 4 pens of 12 animals each. The animals are fed dry at the automatic feed dispenser with feed withdrawal recording. Therefore, feed intake is recorded per animal per day. Weighings can be adjusted according to experimental needs (usually at feed change) The usual trials at our facility include 192 animals (4 compartments). Depending on the trial groups (2 or 4), this is 96 or 48 animals per trial group. The compartments are housed at weekly intervals with our own piglets from our own herd (see piglet trials). The pigs are slaughtered in our own slaughterhouse so that parameters can also be recorded on the carcass (usual according to performance test guideline). If desired, tissue samples, meat samples or other items can also be taken from the carcass. Other conditions see piglet trialsFor 5 runs (= 5 compartments) approx. 15 weeks + evaluation time.