Choice feeding of complete feeds offers the potential for a more gradual transition to feeds of lower specification as the pig grows. This may result in more efficient production as the pig consumes a blend of nutrients which provides the optimum match to its nutrient requirement for growth. The objective of this study was to compare performance of weaned pigs fed a sequence of commercial feeds with pigs allowed consume these diets free choice.

Two experiments were carried out using pigs weaned at 22-26 days of age, penned in groups of 16 and fed the test diets for a 26 day period from weaning. The test diets were commercial starter, link and weaner feeds, marketed as suitable for pigs of 3-8kg, 8-15kg and 15-30kg respectively. Each group had two self feeders, 0.75m long with one diet in each. After the 26 day trial period all pigs received a common grower diet (barley, wheat, soyabean meal, fishmeal, DE: 14.4 MJ/kg, lysine: 1.19%) to about 36kg liveweight