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A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Creep Feeding Effects on Piglet Pre- and Post-Weaning Performance.

Bruno B D MuroRafaella Fernandes CarnevaleMatheus Saliba MonteiroRenjie YaoFelipe Norberto Alves FerreiraClarice S S NetaFrancisco A PereiraDominiek MaesGeert Paul Jules JanssensGlen W AlmondCesar Augusto Pospissil GarbossaTatiane T N WatanabeDiego Feitosa Leal
Published in: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI (2023)
In the present systematic review and meta-analysis, we evaluated the effects of providing piglets with creep feed during lactation on piglet pre- and post-weaning performance. A total of 20 articles met the inclusion criteria. Creep feeding in lactation improved pre-weaning piglet performance in 46% of the studies selected, while 58% of the included studies reported that creep feeding in lactation improved piglet performance during the nursery phase. Creep feeding increased the average piglet body weight (creep = 7.23 ± 0.30, no creep = 6.96 ± 0.31; p = 0.03) and litter weight (creep = 81.2 ± 4.18, no creep = 76.4 ± 4.22; p < 0.001) at weaning. The average piglet body weight and litter weight were positively associated ( p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) with total creep feed intake. Creep feeding of piglets for more than 14 days increased ( p = 0.003) the litter weight at weaning compared to litters not provided or provided for shorter periods with creep feed. The present work strengthened the notion that creep feeding during lactation presents opportunities for improving weaning weights and post-weaning piglet performance compared to litters not provided or provided for shorter periods with creep feed.
Keyphrases
  • body weight
  • mechanical ventilation
  • body mass index
  • human milk
  • physical activity
  • dairy cows
  • intensive care unit
  • weight gain
  • acute respiratory distress syndrome
  • tyrosine kinase
  • low birth weight