Previous experiments showed how feeder type but not enrichment resulted in a greater frequency of visits to the tray feeder and a higher rate of disappearance for creep feed. Creep feed is important as it may help with the stressful transition of weaning and the weight loss and increased risk of disease associated with it. Those with a standard feeder had an increased piglet birth to wean average daily gain. Weaning stress may be reduced by providing a larger feeder as it may improve feed consumption. By providing a tray feeder before weaning, growth benefits were seen immediately after weaning.
Using Exploratory Behaviour to Increase Pre-Weaning Creep Consumption (full article)
