The quality of creep feed affects consumption and growth performance of pre- and post-weaning pigs

LAY SUMMARY While research varies, pigs that eat creep feed before weaning generally have increased post-weaning feed intake and growth than those that do not. Identifying methods to increase the number of pigs consuming creep feed is important for enhancing this practice's success. Frequently creep feed diets contain high levels of specialty protein sources and lactose (dried whey). However, from a management standpoint, providing the sow’s lactation diet as creep feed simplifies the creep feeding process. This study aimed to understand how the quality of creep feed affects growth and eating habits of piglets before and after weaning. Ninety-six sows and their litters were used with three treatments: no creep feed, a simple creep feed (lactation diet), or a complex creep feed. Piglets fed the complex creep feed had greater average daily gain and average daily feed intake than those offered the simple diet. A greater proportion of piglets also consumed the complex creep feed than the simple diet. The piglets were followed into the nursery to determine if mixing creep feed eaters with non-eaters would improve the growth of non-eaters. Eaters grew more in the initial days after weaning and overall nursery phase compared to non-eaters. However, mixing eaters with non-eaters did not improve the growth of non-eaters, suggesting that social facilitation did not occur.