Increasing the productivity of weaned piglets by using a self-feeder of an improved design

Abstract

Goal. To improve the conditions for feeding weaned piglets by using a new self-feeder design to increase its productivity. Methods. The study was conducted in 2024–2025 in the conditions of the Cherkasy State Agricultural Experimental Station of NSC «Institute of Agriculture of NAAS» on pigs of large white breed. Animal productivity was evaluated according to the methods of the Institute of Pig Breeding and Agro-Industrial Production of the NAAS. The peculiarities of their behavior were studied by the method of timing and visual observations. The obtained results were processed by methods of variational statistics. Results. It was established that the use of a self-feeder of an improved design during the cultivation of weaned piglets helped to increase the efficiency of feeding. The Teflon coating of the inner surfaces prevented the feed from sticking and hanging, and the rotating multiblade scraper ensured the continuous flow of fresh feed to the trough. Additional equipping of the feeder with bells stimulated the interest of piglets in feed and increased their feed activity. The use of an experimental self-feeder had a positive effect on the growth intensity of young animals: the live weight of piglets increased by 18.66% compared to the control group. Conclusions. The experimental self-feeder ensured optimal consumption of feed of dry, liuid, and moistened consistency, which contributed to the normalization of the eating behavior of weaned piglets, improving the development of internal organs and increasing the productivity of animals. The use of an experimental self-feeder contributed to increasing the added value of production to 294.66 UAH/animal.