The effect of dentition on feeding development in piglets and on their growth and behavior after weaning.

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of dentition on feed-oriented be- havior and feed consumption before weaning at 28 d, and whether premolar eruption or occlusion at the time of weaning influenced postweaning growth or behavior. Over 3 trials, 24 litters of Yorkshire piglets (n = 233) were provided with creep feed marked with 1% chromic oxide on d 5. Dental exams were performed on d 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, and 27. Fecal samples were visually assessed for feed consumption (via fecal color) on the same day as dental exams, beginning on d 6. The du- ration of time spent at, and frequency of visits to, the creep feeder were determined from continuous video re- cordings on d 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, and 24 for 6 h/d (0700 to 1000 h, 1300 to 1600 h). After weaning, behavior was recorded every 5 min for three 2-h time periods (0600 to 0800 h, 1100 to 1300 h, and 1600 to 1800 h) on d 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12. Piglets younger than 17 d with their premolars erupted and occluded spent less time at the creep feeder and visited it less often than piglets without their premolars erupted and occluded (duration: p 3 (premolar position 3 on maxilla), d 7 (P = 0.005); p4 (premolar position 4 on mandible), d 7 (P 0.05), and no dental measures influenced growth rates (P > 0.10) or behavior (P > 0.10) after weaning. A more precise method may be necessary for detecting associations between dental eruption and feed consumption. However, the behavioral results indicate that, before weaning at 28 d, younger piglets are in- hibited from feeding when their premolars first erupt, whereas older piglets with a more advanced dentition are more attracted to feed.