Abstract

The effects of environmental enrichment on growth performance of early weaned Large White Yorkshire (LWY) piglets were studied. Eighteen LWY piglets of either sex, weaned at 35 days of age were selected and divided into three groups with six piglets each. The group T₁ was taken as control where no enrichment was provided, while T₂ and T₃ groups were provided with paddy straw and plastic balls respectively for environmental enrichment. Significant difference (P<0.05) in growth parameters was observed between control and other treatment groups. At the end of the experiment, the group T₂ had the highest mean body weight (8.18 ± 0.21 kg), followed by T₃ (8.02 ± 0.09 kg) and T₁ (7.30 ± 0.43 kg). When compared to the control group, the daily weight gain (0.037 ± 0.12 kg) of the weaned piglets of T₂ were having significantly highest daily weight gain (0.059 ± 0.02kg), followed by T₃ (0.051± 0.05kg).

Keywords : Piglets, environmental enrichment, growth performance