A method for testing the palatability of piglets

Abstract

This invention provides a method for testing the palatability of piglets, belonging to the field of animal palatability testing technology. The testing method includes: pre-feeding piglets with a diet, using a dual-feeder method to feed a test diet and a control diet, recording feed consumption, calculating the palatability index, and judging the palatability performance of the diets; the dual-feeder method includes: placing feed troughs containing the test diet and the control diet in different locations, and changing the feed trough positions every 2-4 hours during the day. This invention eliminates the influence of animal instability on the experimental results by standardizing the age of the experimental animals; and eliminates the influence of feed trough position on the experimental results by standardizing the time of changing the feed trough positions. Compared with existing testing methods, the testing method of this invention has higher repeatability and can more accurately evaluate the influence of feed or feed ingredients on the palatability of piglets.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of animal palatability testing technology, and in particular relates to a method for testing the palatability of piglets. Background Technology

[0002] African swine fever is transmitted through contact. Pig farms should minimize contact with pigs during the rearing process. However, during experimental evaluations, pig behavior can lead to significant contact with other pigs. Therefore, finding scientific methods to reduce direct contact with pigs while still evaluating the quality of piglet diets is a current challenge. Feed intake is a crucial indicator of piglet performance during rearing, and the palatability of the diet is an important means of assessing feed intake.

[0003] Currently, methods for improving feed palatability have been evaluated and validated abroad, but they are not suitable for most pig farms. For example: 1) Gonyou, 1991, T-shaped feed trough palatability test, which did not consider the influence of waterer and feed trough positions (KA Parfet, HWGonyou, Attraction of newborn piglets to auditory, visual, olfactory and tactile stimuli, Journal of Animal Science, Volume 69, Issue 1, January 1991, Pages 125–133, https: / / doi.org / 10.2527 / 1991.691125x); 2) Sola-Oriol conducted numerous dual-feed trough trials from 2005 to 2015, but it did not consider the influence of feed trough positions, and the error between the blank control and the control group was also large. Furthermore, this method requires a large number of control groups and replicates (D. Solà-Oriol, E. Roura, D. Torrallardona, Feed preference). in pigs: Effect of cereal sources at different inclusion rates, Journal of Animal Science, Volume 87, Issue 2, February 2009, Pages 562-570; D. Solà-Oriol, E. Roura, D. Torrallardona, Feed preference in pigs: Relationship with feed particle size and texture, Journal of Animal Science, Volume 87, Issue 2, February 2009, Pages 571-582; Solà-Oriol D, Roura E, Torrallardona D. Feed preference in pigs: effect of selected protein, fat, and fiber sources at different inclusion rates. J Anim Sci.2011Oct;89(10):3219-27.doi:10.2527 / jas.2011-3885.Epub 2011May 13.PMID:21571898.);3)Tedo,G.et al. (2007) conducted a 48-hour dual-selection test model: a 16-hour fast followed by a 4-hour acclimatization period, with at least six replicates. However, each replicate required two pigs, with a 16-hour fast, which is potentially harmful to piglet health. Using only two pigs per replicate is inconvenient for assessing feed palatability (An in vivo 48-hour model to study feed preference in weaned pigs, 58th Annual meeting of the European Association for Animal Production, 26-29th of August 2-7, Dublin, Ireland, 178.). Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a method for evaluating the palatability of piglets. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the purpose of this invention is to provide a method for testing the palatability of piglets, which standardizes the time for changing the feed trough position, the age of the test animals, and the pre-feeding time, and can more accurately evaluate the impact of feed or feed ingredients on the palatability of piglets.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0006] This invention provides a method for testing the palatability of piglets, comprising: pre-feeding piglets with a diet, feeding them a test diet and a control diet using a double-feeding trough method, recording feed consumption, calculating the palatability index, and judging the palatability performance of the diet; the double-feeding trough method includes: placing feed troughs containing the test diet and the control diet in different locations, and changing the positions of the feed troughs every 2 to 8 hours during the day; the palatability index = feed consumption of the test diet / feed consumption of the control diet × 100%.

[0007] Preferably, the piglets are 28 to 35 days old.

[0008] Preferably, the piglets are piglets that have been weaned for 6 to 7 days.

[0009] Preferably, the feeding time using the dual-feeder method is 6 days.

[0010] Preferably, the indicators for judging the palatability of the tested diet are as follows: when there is a significant difference in the palatability index between the tested diet and the control, and the palatability index of the tested diet is greater than 100%, the tested diet has improved palatability; when there is a significant difference in the palatability index between the tested diet and the control diet, and the palatability index of the tested diet is less than 100%, the tested diet has reduced palatability; when there is no significant difference in the palatability index between the tested diet and the control diet, the palatability of the tested diet and the blank control remains unchanged.

[0011] Preferably, the test method is set to four or more repetitions.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0013] This invention provides a method for testing the palatability of piglets, comprising: pre-feeding piglets with a diet, feeding them a test diet and a control diet using a dual-feeder method, recording feed consumption, calculating the palatability index, and judging the palatability performance of the diets; the dual-feeder method includes: placing feed troughs containing the test diet and the control diet in different locations, and changing the positions of the feed troughs every 2-4 hours during the day; the palatability index = feed consumption of the test diet / feed consumption of the control diet × 100%. This invention eliminates the influence of the instability of the test animals on the experimental results by standardizing the age of the experimental animals; and eliminates the influence of the feed trough position on the experimental results by standardizing the time of changing the feed trough positions. Compared with the existing testing methods, the testing method of this invention has higher repeatability and can more accurately evaluate the influence of feed or feed ingredients on the palatability of piglets. Detailed Implementation

[0014] This invention provides a method for testing the palatability of piglets, comprising: pre-feeding piglets with a diet, feeding them a test diet and a control diet using a double-feeding trough method, recording feed consumption, calculating the palatability index, and judging the palatability performance of the diet; the double-feeding trough method includes: placing feed troughs containing the test diet and the control diet in different locations, and changing the positions of the feed troughs every 2-4 hours during the day; the palatability index = feed consumption of the test diet / feed consumption of the control diet × 100%.

[0015] This invention eliminates the influence of the material trough position on the test results by standardizing the timing of changing the material trough position.

[0016] The piglets used in this invention are preferably 28-35 days old, more preferably 30 days old; the piglets are preferably weaned 6-7 days ago. This invention eliminates the influence of the instability of the experimental animals on the experimental results by standardizing the age of the experimental animals.

[0017] The preferred feeding time for the dual-feeder method described in this invention is 6 days.

[0018] The testing method described in this invention preferably has four or more replicates.

[0019] The indicators for judging the palatability of the tested diet in this invention are as follows: when there is a significant difference in the palatability index between the tested diet and the control, and the palatability index of the tested diet is greater than 100%, the tested diet has improved palatability; when there is a significant difference in the palatability index between the tested diet and the control diet, and the palatability index of the tested diet is less than 100%, the tested diet has reduced palatability; when there is no significant difference in the palatability index between the tested diet and the control diet, the palatability of the tested diet and the blank control remains unchanged.

[0020] This invention, by standardizing the timing of changing the feed trough position, the age of the experimental animals, and the pre-feeding time, has higher repeatability and can more accurately evaluate the impact of feed or feed ingredients on the palatability of piglets.

[0021] The technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments thereof. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this invention, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0022] Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments are all conventional methods.

[0023] Unless otherwise specified, all materials and reagents used in the following examples are commercially available.

[0024] Example 1

[0025] The effect of different feeding incentive programs on the feeding incentive results of piglets

[0026] 1. Experimental animals

[0027] The experiment was conducted at the No. 2 pig farm in Henan Province. 112 weaned piglets (1 week after weaning) with an age of 21±2 days and a weight of about 6.0(±1) kg were selected. The piglets were Landrace-Large White crossbred sows and were randomly divided into 4 treatments, with 4 replicates for each treatment and 7 pigs for each replicate.

[0028] 2. Experimental process

[0029] Before the experiment began, two feed troughs were placed 1.5-2m away from the corridor in each pen and marked. No pre-feeding was performed. After the experiment started, a single diet (110 g feed powder, provided by Henan Puai Feed Co., Ltd.) was placed in the two feed troughs for the experimental pigs to eat freely. The positions of the feed troughs were changed periodically. The experiment lasted for 6 days, and the feed attraction index of the piglets was recorded. The feed attraction index is the ratio of the total feed consumption of the test diet to the total feed consumption of the control diet. The higher the feed attraction index, the higher the feed consumption and the higher the feed intake.

[0030] The effect of changing the feed trough position on the piglet palatability outcome

[0031] The method for changing the position of the feed troughs is as follows: After the experiment begins, fix two movable stainless steel feed troughs 1 and 2 on the left and right sides of the circle. According to the experimental design, at different time points, fix stainless steel feed troughs 1 and 2 on the right and left sides of the circle to eliminate the influence of position on palatability.

[0032] The procedures for changing the position of the feed hopper are as follows:

[0033] Solution 1: Change the position of the material trough every 2 hours (during the day);

[0034] Solution 2: Change the position of the material trough every 4 hours (during the day);

[0035] Procedure 3: Change the position of the material trough every 8 hours (during the daytime);

[0036] Solution 4: Do not change the position of the feed trough.

[0037] After 6 days of the experiment, the feeding index of piglets in each group was calculated, and the results are shown in Table 1.

[0038] Table 1. Effects of different feeder position and time on the appetite-attracting index of different treatment groups

[0039]

[0040]

[0041] Note: Different letters in the same column indicate significant differences (P < 0.05), and the same letter in the same column indicate no significant differences (P > 0.05).

[0042] As shown in Table 1, compared with the theoretical value, changing the feed trough position every 8 hours without changing it significantly changed the appetite index of the same diet. Changing the feed trough position every 4 hours and every 2 hours did not differ significantly from the theoretical value. That is, the method of changing the feed trough position every 4 hours and every 2 hours is feasible, while the method of changing the feed trough position every 8 hours without changing it is not feasible.

[0043] Example 2

[0044] Effects of different ages on the feeding outcomes of piglets

[0045] 1. Experimental animals:

[0046] This experiment was conducted at a pig farm in Huaiyang. Eighty weaned piglets were selected and randomly divided into two treatments, with four replicates in each treatment and ten piglets in each replicate.

[0047] 2. Experimental diets and treatments:

[0048] Treatment 5: 28-day-old weaned piglets. All four replicate diets used 110 pellets, purchased from Henan Puai Feed Co., Ltd.

[0049] Treatment 6: For 35-day-old piglets, the diets used in the four replicate trials were 110 pellets and purchased from Henan Puai Feed Co., Ltd.

[0050] 3. Experimental process

[0051] At the start of the experiment, one experimental diet was given to each pen simultaneously, placed in two 2-hole feed troughs. Each time, 200-1000 grams of the corresponding experimental diet were added to each of the two feed troughs (the amount was adjusted according to the piglets' feeding behavior), the amount of feed was recorded, and the piglets' feeding behavior was observed. The feed troughs were moved every 2 hours and placed back in the pen. Each time the feed troughs were moved (after the experiment started, the two movable stainless steel feed troughs 1 and 2 were fixed to the left and right sides of the pen; according to the experimental design, every 2 hours, stainless steel feed troughs 1 and 2 were fixed to the right and left sides of the pen to eliminate the influence of position on palatability; one round trip was from left to right to left), the piglets' feed intake was carefully observed. After each round trip, the feed troughs were weighed and the remaining amount was recorded, and the feed intake for each piglet was calculated.

[0052] The pre-feeding period was 16 hours, and the trial lasted for 6 days.

[0053] The feeding induction index of each group of piglets was calculated, and the results are shown in Table 3.

[0054] Table 3. Effects of different age treatments on the feedability index of piglets (%)

[0055] Processing group Process 5 Process 6 p-value Appetizing index (%) <![CDATA[106 a ]]> <![CDATA[100 b ]]> P<0.05

[0056] Note: Different letters in the same column indicate significant differences (P<0.05), while the same letter in the same column or no labeling indicates no significant differences (P>0.05).

[0057] As shown in Table 3, there was no significant difference in the feed palatability index between 28-day-old weaned piglets and 7-day-old piglets after 35-day weaning, while the feed palatability index of 35-day-old weaned piglets was closer to the theoretical value.

[0058] Example 3

[0059] Indicators of the appetite-stimulating properties of diets

[0060] When there is a significant difference in the palatability index between the test diet and the control diet, and the palatability index of the test diet is greater than 100, the test diet improves palatability; when there is a significant difference in the palatability index between the test diet and the control diet, and the palatability index of the test diet is less than 100, the test diet reduces palatability; when there is no significant difference in the palatability index between the test diet and the control diet, the palatability of the test diet and the blank control remains unchanged.

[0061] Example 4

[0062] Study on the effect of different levels of puffed broken rice addition on the appetite stimulation of piglets

[0063] The experiment selected 120 piglets aged 28 days and 6 days after weaning, and randomly divided them into 3 treatments according to their weight. Each treatment group had 4 replicates, and each replicate had 10 piglets. Each pen contained 2 feed troughs.

[0064] At the start of the experiment, two experimental diets were given simultaneously in each pen, placed in two separate feed troughs. Each time, the corresponding experimental diet was added to both feed troughs. The feed troughs were rotated every 4 hours and then returned to the pen. Each time the feed troughs were rotated, the piglets' feed intake was carefully observed. The remaining amount was weighed and recorded after each rotation, and the feed intake for each piglet was calculated. There was no pre-feeding period in this experiment.

[0065] All experimental diets were provided by Possible Puai Feed Co., Ltd. The formulation designs of diets 110-1, 110-2 and 110-3 are shown in Table 4.

[0066] Formulation Design in Tables 4110-1, 110-2 and 110-3

[0067]

[0068]

[0069] The daily ration is designed as follows:

[0070] Control group: 110-1 and 110-1 were added to the two feed troughs respectively;

[0071] Treatment I: Add 110-1 and 110-2 to the two feed troughs respectively;

[0072] Treatment II: Add 110-2 and 110-3 to the two feed troughs respectively.

[0073] Calculation formula:

[0074] The feeding attraction index of the control group = (total feed consumption of 110-1 in feed trough 1 / total feed consumption of 110-1 in feed trough 2) × 100%;

[0075] The feeding attraction index of treatment I = (total feed consumption of 110-2 in treatment I / total feed consumption of 110-1) × 100%;

[0076] The feeding attraction index of treatment II = (total feed consumption of 110-3 in treatment II / total feed consumption of 110-2) × 100%;

[0077] The differences in the palatability of the diets among the different treatment groups are shown in Table 5.

[0078] Table 5. Differences in the palatability of diets among different treatment groups

[0079]

[0080] Note: Different letters in the same column indicate significant differences (P<0.05), while the same letter in the same column or no labeling indicates no significant differences (P>0.05).

[0081] As shown in Table 5, the test method of this invention has a small error. The palatability index of the control group (same diet) was 99% and the theoretical value of 100% was not significantly different (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, 10% and 20% puffed broken rice significantly improved the palatability of the diet (P<0.05). Compared with 10% puffed broken rice, 20% puffed broken rice significantly improved the palatability of the diet (P<0.05).

[0082] BSS Seabolt, 2010 and other studies (BS Seabolt, E van Heugten, SW Kim, KD Ange-vanHeugten, E Roura. Feed preferences and performance of nur sery pigs fed dietscontaining various inclusion amounts and qualities of di stillers coproductsand flavor1[J]. Journal of Animal Science, 2010, 88(11):p.3725-3738.DOI:10.2527 / jas.2009-2640.) The results showed that when the palatability test period was 2 days, the ratio of feed intake of the control group diet to that of the control group diet was between 78 and 159 when the feed trough position was not changed. The results of D. Solà-Oriol et al. showed that the double feed trough test can quantify the palatability of the diet and may be a very effective method to evaluate the palatability of weaned piglet diets. However, when using newly weaned piglets, the palatability test results in the first two days after weaning and the results in 2-6 days after weaning deviated significantly (241 vs 58). Using piglets 0-2 days after weaning may affect the test results. When using weaned piglets, the test results in the 0-6 day test period were more stable. By comparison, it can be seen that the detection method of the present invention has smaller error and higher accuracy.

[0083] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for testing the palatability of piglets, characterized in that, include: Piglets were pre-fed diets, and the test diet and control diet were fed using the double feed trough method. The feed consumption was recorded, the palatability index was calculated, and the palatability performance of the diets was judged. The piglets are piglets weaned 6 to 7 days ago, and the piglets are 28 to 35 days old. The indicators for judging the palatability of the tested diets are as follows: when there is a significant difference in the palatability index between the tested diet and the control, and the palatability index of the tested diet is greater than 100%, the tested diet has improved palatability; when there is a significant difference in the palatability index between the tested diet and the control, and the palatability index of the tested diet is less than 100%, the tested diet has reduced palatability; when there is no significant difference in the palatability index between the tested diet and the control, the palatability of the tested diet and the blank control remains unchanged. The dual-feeder method includes placing feeders containing the test diet and the control diet in different positions, and changing the positions of the feeders every 2 to 4 hours during the day. The palatability index is calculated as: (Feed consumption of the test diet / Feed consumption of the control diet) × 100%.

2. The testing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding time using the dual-feeder method is 6 days.

3. The testing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The test method is set to have 4 or more replicates.

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