Influence of Deep Bedding and Fermented Feed Supplementation on the Behavioral Patterns, Adult Fly (Musca domestica) Density and Performance of Crossbred Pigs

Abstract

This study determined the effects of deep bedding floor and fermented feed supplement on the behavioral pattern and adult fly (Musca domestica) density that would be affect to the performance of crossbred pigs. The performance data from 64 (Thai native x Meishan x Duroc) crossbreds were combined from two replicated studies. Pig behavior was continuously video recorded in a real-time mode on Day 1 (initial day), 2, 3, 7 and the end day of Month 1, 2, 3 and 4 for 32 pigs in one block. A 2 x 2 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design was used with four replicates in one block. Factor A was a deep bedding floor (DB) or solid bedding of concrete floor (SB). Factor B was a feed type of concentrate feed supplemented with a fresh banana stem (BF+CON) or fermented banana stem (FF+CON). The results showed that effects of floor type and feed type on production performance were significant (P<0.05), with concrete floors showing better performance than deep bedding. The study found no significant impact of feed type on growth performance in pigs. Nevertheless, floor type and feed type interaction on production performance was significant for final weight, ADG, and FCR throughout the experiment (0–120 days). However, the behavior of pigs was influenced by floor type. DB pigs spent more time exploring the pen, but spent less time standing and walking than SB pigs. DB variations were found to be dispersed, with positive correlations between standing, nuzzling, walking, and feeding. Despite the possibility of flies being flown across the row, DB row pigs had significantly (P<0.05) fewer flies than SB row pigs. The heatmaps showed that the two groups have different behavioral dependency. The study concluded that the deep bedding floor type allowed for natural exploring behavior of the pigs and reduced the number of flies in the system. However, adverse effects were observed in performance, indicating the need for further study to improve the system.