2026-10-06T10:12:37Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/34009278 2026-09-28T05:39:02Z category_1280 portal_316 item_type_3 month_year_09_2026

Table 3_Feeding patterns as proxies of production performance and feed efficiency in growing pigs from different genetic backgrounds.xlsx Aitor Arrazola (6996545) Juan Pablo Sánchez (9439290) Raquel Quintanilla (168993) Farm Management, Rural Management and Agribusiness feeding behavior feeding strategies performance proxies pig crossbreds swine <p>Understanding how feeding behavior impacts productive traits provides innovative avenues to improve swine industry efficiency and profitability. The study objective was to describe the feeding patterns of growing pigs from different genetic backgrounds and evaluate the role of feeding metrics as proxies of production and efficiency traits. A total of 620 pigs from eight commercial genetic backgrounds were raised in four trials from 80 to 165 days of age at an experimental pig farm in Girona (Spain). Each pen was equipped with one automatic feeder for 12–14 pigs. Performance and feeding traits were calculated for each animal over two periods: growing (105–125 days old) and fattening (145–165 days old) phases. Feeding patterns were described for each genetic background, highlighting peculiarities of the feeding behavior across genetic groups. High variability in feeding behavior was attributed to the individual effect, with high within-individual repeatability for feeding traits at the feeder visit level during both phases (r = 0.51–0.76). Associate analyses further noted that both feeding rate and feed intake per feeding bout (either meal or feeder visit) correlated positively with the average daily feed intake, body weight, average growth rate, and backfat thickness but negatively with feed efficiency traits, pointing toward the potential role of feeding metrics as proxies of performance outcomes. Lastly, outcomes of multivariate models further supported the role of eating intensity metrics (feeding rate, feed intake per visit, and daily feed intake) as the most important descriptors of performance outcomes in growing pigs during rearing. These three feeding metrics together strongly explained the variability of body weight (R² > 60%) and average growth rate (R² > 50%), mildly that of backfat thickness (25%< R²< 35%), and fairly that of feed efficiency traits (R²< 20%) during both rearing periods. Overall, these results indicate both the tight link between feeding patterns and body weight, growth rate, and fatness and their usefulness in characterizing pig performance during rearing.</p> 2026-09-28T05:39:02Z Dataset Dataset 10.3389/fanim.2026.1938801.s003 https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Table_3_Feeding_patterns_as_proxies_of_production_performance_and_feed_efficiency_in_growing_pigs_from_different_genetic_backgrounds_xlsx/34009278 CC BY 4.0