Effect of Pen Space and Vitamin Level on Performance of Growing-Finishing Swine

Previous research at South Dakota State University has shown that pigs housed in a completely enclosed confinement building consume less feed and gain slower during enclosed confinement building consume less feed and gain slower during the finishing period than pigs housed in an open-front facility. Boredom or building fatigue caused by prolonged confinement in a limited space have been suggested as possible causes of this reduced performance. The experiment reported herein was conducted to obtain information on the effect of increasing pen space and/or doubling the level of vitamins in the diet during the finishing from approximately 140 pounds to 220 pounds