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Swine

Three Ways to Get the Most out of Creep Feeding Pigs

Young Animal : Management

Brenda de Rodas, Ph.D.

Director, Swine Technical Innovation

Nursery management sets the pace for pigs’ lifetime performance, so minimizing production lags is crucial during this phase.

Creep feeding pigs is one practice you can use to optimize performance during the weaning period.  
 
Research at the Purina Animal Nutrition Center in Gray Summit, Mo. has shown creep-fed pigs ate more aggressively and experienced early and sustained gains in the nursery compared to pigs that weren’t creep-fed.1
 
When considering which tools would work best within your operational budget, keep in mind the numerous ways creep feeding can support production goals. Creep feeding is one tool that can make a difference in many areas.
 
Here are three ways creep feeding can help you make the most of your nutrition program.


graph of the Effect of Creep Feeding on Phase One1. Encourage intake

No matter how good your feed program is, if the pigs don’t eat as much as they need, the feeding isn’t helping them. Pigs that eat aggressively can access the nutrition they need, and creep feeding has been shown to create early, aggressive eaters.
 
In a Purina Animal Nutrition Center creep feed study, pigs creep fed for 3-5 days pre-weaning scored higher on a number of key performance indicators (KPI) compared to those not offered creep feed. One of the KPI’s was average daily feed intake. Data indicates the creep-fed nursery pigs showed 13 percent higher average daily feed intake during the first week after weaning than those not offered creep feed.1

graph of Effect of Creep Feeding on Nursery Weights

2. Support optimal productivity

Our research showed the benefits of creep feeding were maintained throughout the nursery. Pigs offered creep feed experienced 28 percent higher average daily gains than those not fed creep. Additional trials showed the creep-fed pigs were 1.1 pounds heavier at 20 days post-weaning and 1.8 pounds heavier at 36 days than their counterparts that were not fed creep.2
 
As you can see, creep-fed pigs gained and maintained that weight difference over those that weren’t creep fed. 

3. Prevent waste

To get the most out of creep feeding, start by choosing a highly palatable creep feed with similar ingredients and flavor profile to the starter, grower and finisher feeds in your nutrition plan. This can help minimize interruptions during feed transitions.
 
Begin creep feeding three to five days before weaning. Feed only as much as the pigs will eat to minimize waste. Feeding on mats twice daily gives pigs better access to feed and further minimizes waste. Always remove refused feed before putting down fresh feed.
 
Feed pigs when the sow is eating so they are less likely to be suckling. If they are asleep or suckling when you place creep feed, they might not notice it.
 
Creep feeding has been shown to have many benefits that – over time – can help you maximize your return on investment. Getting pigs off to a good start at weaning puts them on the path to optimal productivity through to finishing.
 
1 Purina Animal Nutrition trial: PS1041.
2 Purina Animal Nutrition trials: PS918, 940, 947.