Individual feed intake observed during the first week postweaning influenced intestinal development and physiology. Weanling pigs were classified as high or low eaters during the first 3 d after weaning and subsequently split into high and low eaters from days 4 to 6, hence, forming four patterns. Overall, piglets with higher feed intake presented a reduced metabolic stress and an activated immune system. Most importantly, the feed intake pattern during the first 3 d postweaning had strong associations with intestinal physiology, and growth, such that high feed intake during that period resulted in improved growth. When piglets go from a high feed intake during the first 3 d postweaning to a low feed intake from days 4 to 6, we observed more associations with poor metabolic and digestive functions and increased inflammation. In summary, the feed intake pattern during the early postweaning directly affects intestinal function and metabolic status of the piglet, and therefore should be a consideration in setting up nutritional strategies to ameliorate the weaning transition period.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.