By supplying feed in farrowing (creep feed), the piglets should benefit by being introduced to solid feed, having supplemental nutrition and by helping the gastrointestinal tract adapt to new proteins and nutrients. Some studies have found that no benefits were noted when piglets were provided with creep feed. The amount of consumption was not known for those experiments, so the effect of creep feed on those who show evidence of consumption are being examined. Only about 40% of the piglets offered the creep feed consumed it. Nursery exit weights and growth rates were improved when consumption occurred.
Creep Feed Provision in the Farrowing Room Provides Benefits to Piglets Showing Evidence of Intake (full article)
