Creep feed intake in unweaned piglets is increased by exploration stimulating feeder

Intake of a sufficient amount of creep feed during lactation will improve performance of pigs after weaning. However, creep feed intake during lactation is usually low and variable during lactation. The present study aimed to investigate whether creep feed intake in piglets during lactation can be increased by the use of a trough designed to stimulate the exploratory behaviour of young piglets. Seventy-two sows were used, divided over two treatments: (1) a common feeding system (CF): a round trough from day 7 to day 13, followed by a hopper feeder with two feeding spaces until weaning (day 26) or (2) the playfeeder (PF), an open trough with 3 protrusions to stimulate exploration from day 7 to day 26. Creep feed residuals were weighed per litter at 7day intervals. Feeders were checked every day and replenished if necessary. Video recordings of 12 sows were made continuously at day 15, day 22 and day 25. Observations for piglets' response to the feeder were noted between 0800 and 1530h, because activity at the feeders was found to be minimal during the dark periods. All the piglets were marked on their back to allow individual identification. The time that each piglet spent in the feeder was recorded, with a minimum of 2s per stay. Total creep feed consumption during lactation was higher for the PF than for the CF (PF: 202±23 vs. CF: 118±17; P =0.0022). The percentage of piglets within a litter visiting the feeder did not differ between the feeders at any of the days. Of the piglets that visited the feeder, the average number of visits per piglet per hour tended to be higher (days 15 and 22) or was higher (day 25) for the PF than the CF. So, the piglets in the PF treatment seemed to be stimulated to explore the feeder, thereby getting accustomed to the creep feed inside the feeder. The higher creep feed intake during the last two weeks of lactation was most probably the result of this acquaintance with the feed. This study shows that stimulation of exploratory behaviour can increase creep feed intake.