Efficiency of different feeding strategies during the rearing of piglets from hyperprolific sows under very early weaning

The article presents the results of a study on the influence of initial live weight of piglets and the duration of feeding milk replacers on growth dynamics, feed intake, and the economic efficiency of the nursery period. The aim of the study was to determine the optimal diet structure and the duration of prestarter feed use depending on the live weight of piglets at the beginning of the nursery phase. The study was conducted on two groups of piglets: animals in the control group had a standard body weight for early-weaned piglets and consumed whole milk replacer until day 8, whereas piglets in the experimental group, which were 26 % lighter at placement, received milk replacer until day 15. The transition to prestarter and starter feeds was carried out after reaching live weights of 9 and 12 kg, respectively. During the first week of the experiment, only minor weight gains were observed; however, from the second week onward, growth rates increased, particularly in the experimental group, indicating the compensatory growth capacity of piglets with lower initial body weight. At the same time, the structure of feed consumption differed significantly: piglets in the experimental group consumed larger amounts of expensive prestarter feeds and milk replacers, whereas animals in the control group transitioned more rapidly to less expensive starter feeds. This resulted in a higher average cost per kilogram of feed in the experimental group (UAH 27.39 versus UAH 23.86 in the control group). Economic analysis showed that piglets in the control group had lower operational nursery costs (UAH 1470.76 versus UAH 1674.52), lower feed cost per unit of weight gain (UAH 42.18 versus UAH 49.30), and higher production profitability (118.54 % versus 95.19 %). Despite this, piglets in the experimental group with lower initial body weight achieved satisfactory final growth performance and high survival rates (97–98 %), confirming the feasibility of extended use of high-quality milk replacers during the early post-weaning period. The obtained results indicate that optimizing feeding strategies with consideration of the initial live weight of piglets is an effective tool for improving productivity and economic efficiency during the nursery phase. A differentiated approach to the duration of prestarter feed use ensures reduced cost of weight gain, stable animal survival, and increased profitability in pork production.