Is there an effect of the creep feeding method on growth performance, feed intake, and weight uniformity of pigs up to 9 weeks of age?

Adequate feed intake shortly after weaning is important to prevent weaning issues. In a nursery pig trial, two methods of administering creep feed (CF) and their effects on growth performance, feed intake, and uniformity were compared. In both trials, piglets received CF from the 10th day after birth until 1 week after weaning, at 26.7 ± 1.4 days. Individual weights were recorded weekly from birth until 9 weeks of age. The first trial included 120 crossbred piglets (26 pens), half of which received weaning feed (WF) in a standard feeder, as well as CF in an additional bowl. The other half received CF and WF in the standard feeder. The presence of the additional bowl resulted in a significantly higher WF intake (189 ± 64 vs 68 ± 41 g/d/piglet), higher total feed intake (263 ± 36 vs 193 ± 41 g/d/piglet), and higher feed conversion ratio (FCR, 2.09 ± 0.54 vs 1.68 ± 0.19) during the 1 st week after weaning. The second trial included 164 crossbred piglets (32 pens). All piglets received WF in a standard feeder and dry or liquid CF in an additional bowl. Liquid CF led to higher CF intake (62 ± 28 vs 26 ± 28 g/d/piglet), higher total feed intake (158 ± 30 vs 127 ± 32 g/d/piglet), and higher FCR (2.08 ± 0.65 vs 1.47 ± 0.42) during the 1 st week after weaning. Our findings suggest that an additional bowl and liquid CF in the nursery increase feed intake. Nevertheless, the methods of administering CF had no effect on growth performance or uniformity up to 9 weeks of age.