EVALUATION OF DIETARY ALTERATIONS THAT HAVE POTENTIAL TO AFFECT FEED INTAKE AND FEED PREFERENCE IN SWINE

Feed intake is a key factor affecting pig performance; thus, the objective of these studies was to assess a variety of factors that could potentially affect intake in pigs in different production stages. Studies were conducted to determine the effects of flavor and diet complexity, Appetein™ (an alternative protein source), and graded levels of salt on swine feed intake and feed preference. Two newly developed flavors were used in nursery pig diets. The use of the two flavors did not increase feed intake (P \u3e 0.05). Nursery pigs actually showed a preference for the control diet. Complex diet formulation does increase feed intake (P \u3c 0.03) in nursery pigs when diets are not over-formulated. When flavor was added to lactation diets sow feed intake did not change compared to the control. The flavor did not affect litter performance (P \u3e 0.05). When Appetein™ was added to lactation diets at 0.5%, pig weight and litter weight were numerically greater for the sows fed Appetein™ but not significantly so. Appetein™ did not affect feed intake. When nursery pigs were fed graded levels of salt (0.1, 0.5, and 0.8%) feed intake increased (P \u3c 0.01) as salt level increased. Nursery pigs also preferred (P \u3c 0.05) 0.8% salt over other levels the first two weeks after weaning when given a choice among diets