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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 November 2017
Post weaning performance is determined by weaning weight and week one growth rate (Miller, et al., 1999). Strategies which increase feed intake in the immediate post-weaning period would be expected to increase overall post-weaning performance through better week one growth rate. Top dressing normal pelleted feed following weaning with a palatable nutrient dense supplement should increase nutrient intake and hence week 1 growth rate. This strategy might be particularly beneficial for low weaning weight pigs. Inclusion of ingredients containing immunoglobulins (Ig) in immediate post-weaning diets have been shown to increase post weaning performance (Coffey and Cromwell, 1995). We hypothesise that the use of a palatable nutrient dense supplement containing bovine Igs will improve feed intake and growth rate post weaning. The aim of this experiment was to investigate this hypothesis using low weaning weight piglets.
