Reduction of ration waste in swine feeders

Abstract

The objective of this experiment was to test the effect of feeder height and sire of protective edges on ration losses in swine feeders. In experiment number one, conventional automatic feeders were used, one being placed flat on the floor (T1), and the other 12 cm off the floor (T2). Collections of daily, ration losses were made on screens placed under the feeder. It was determined that the losses were 1,652 and 880 g/day/box for T1 and T2, respectively, with this difference being statistically significant (P<0,01). In experiment two, the height was the same as in T2 of the preceeding - experiment, with the protective edge of 2.5 cm (T1) being extended to 6 cm (T2); the results also differed significantly (P<0,01) with losses of 1.358 and 718 g/day/box, for T1 and T2, respectively. It was determined that feeder height of 12 cm and an increase in the protective edge sire of the feeder significantly diminished ration losses.