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Simple Summary: In pig production, nursing piglets are frequently offered a highly palatable and easily digestible diet (creep feed). Creep feeding is believed to increase the weaning weight of piglets and to facilitate a smooth transition from sow's milk to the dry feed. However, the research results are conflicting, and this might be due to the fact that several factors can impact the positive aspects of creep feeding during lactation. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of creep feeding on piglet pre- and post-weaning performance. Our results demonstrated that providing piglets with creep feed in lactation increases piglet body weight at weaning and post-weaning growth performance. We also identified that a minimum of 14 days of creep feed provision is necessary to realize a higher body weight at weaning. In the present systematic review and meta-analysis, we evaluated the effects of providing piglets with creep feed during lactation on piglet pre- and post-weaning performance. A total of 20 articles met the inclusion criteria. Creep feeding in lactation improved pre-weaning piglet performance in 46% of the studies selected, while 58% of the included studies reported that creep feeding in lactation improved piglet performance during the nursery phase. Creep feeding increased the average piglet body weight (creep = 7.23 ± 0.30, no creep = 6.96 ± 0.31; p = 0.03) and litter weight (creep = 81.2 ± 4.18, no creep = 76.4 ± 4.22; p < 0.001) at weaning. The average piglet body weight and litter weight were positively associated (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) with total creep feed intake. Creep feeding of piglets for more than 14 days increased (p = 0.003) the litter weight at weaning compared to litters not provided or provided for shorter periods with creep feed. The present work strengthened the notion that creep feeding during lactation presents opportunities for improving weaning weights and post-weaning piglet performance compared to litters not provided or provided for shorter periods with creep feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on the evolution of blood metabolites and metabolic markers in neonatal piglets are scarce, although this information is vital to detect physiological aberrations from normal development. We aimed to characterize age- and nutrition-related changes in the plasma metabolome and serum biochemistry of suckling and newly weaned piglets and assess metabolite patterns as physiological markers for the two phases. In two replicate batches (n = 10 litters/group), piglets either received sow milk alone or were additionally offered creep feed from day 10 until weaning (day 28). Blood was collected from one piglet/litter on days 7, 14, 21, 28, 31 and 35 of life, totaling five females and five males/group/day. Signature feature ranking identified plasma triglycerides (TG) as discriminative for age and nutrition during the suckling phase. Influential TG 20:4_36:5, TG 17:0_34:2 and TG 18:2_38:6 were higher in creep-fed piglets on days 14, 21 and 28 of life, respectively, compared to only sow milk-fed piglets. Metabolites belonging to pathways within histidine, D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism as well as hippuric acid were distinctive for the postweaning compared to the suckling period. In conclusion, plasma lipid profiles especially corresponded to the type of nutrition in the suckling phase and showed a strong weaning effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The weaning period is one of the most stressful periods in a piglet's life due to abrupt changes in diet and environment. To mitigate production loss, creep feed is given to piglets to supplement sow's milk, but the intake of typical dry creep feed is low. Alternatively, liquid diets presented as a gruel may have increased positive effects post-weaning. The objective of this study was to discern whether a gruel pre-weaning supplementation could better prepare piglets to handle increased stress encountered after weaning. We conclude that piglets fed gruel creep feed had greater feed intake and body weight than pigs that had no supplementation, and the effects were sustained through the first week of weaning. To combat the stress of weaning, we utilized novel gruel creep feeders to supplement suckling pigs with divergent soluble (n = 6 litters) versus insoluble (n = 6) diets compared with un-supplemented controls (n = 6). Post-weaning, pigs were fed a common phase 1 diet. Average daily weight gains of pigs fed soluble and insoluble creep diets were 53% and 17% greater than control pigs, respectively (p < 0.01). Creep intake was higher (82%) for pigs fed the soluble diet, and the accompanying weight increase was sustained post-weaning (p < 0.02). Villus measures were prematurely altered in soluble-creep-fed pigs (p < 0.01), with decreases in villi length, crypt depth, and villus area pre-weaning. No effects of treatment were detected for VFA concentrations and pH in the cecum. There was an interaction between treatment and age for several pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (p < 0.01), where soluble-creep-fed pigs had increased cytokine levels with age, whereas cytokine levels in the insoluble and control groups decreased over time. We conclude that a soluble creep diet fed in a gruel state during the pre-weaning period has a positive impact on weaning weight that is sustained post-weaning, and is accompanied by alterations in the intestinal health of young pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrient deficiency during lactation period negatively affects dams milk production and lamb growth performance. However, the effect of ewe nutrition level on growth rate of Karacabey Merino lambs raised with access to creep feeding is not clear. Therefore to study these effects, a total of 84 single lambed Karacabey Merino ewes (aged 3, 4, 5 years old, 68.05±0.96 kg of live weight (LW); 2.64±0.07 of body condition scores (BCS)), and their lambs (n=84) were divided into two feeding treatment groups: group with 32-35% (energy and protein) nutrient restriction (restricted feeding; RF) and control (control feeding; CF) group according to 100% of nutrient requirements. Lambs had free access to concentrate feed in creep feeding conditions until 96 days of weaning. Lactation milk yield was higher in CF group than RF group (P=0.01). Except for milk fat content (P=0.495), milking characteristics as daily milk yield, protein, lactose, and nonfat solids (NFS) contents of milk were found higher (P≤0.001) in CF group than RF group. Significant interaction was observed between feeding treatment groups (RF and CF) with lamb gender on the daily weight gain (P=0.01) and weaning weight (P=0.036) of the lambs. Male lambs in CF group were heavier than male lambs in RF group (P=0.01) while female lambs in both groups had similar weaning weight (P>0.05). Growth performance of male lambs was negatively affected by restricted nutrition of their dams, while no significant difference was observed in female lambs. Restricted ewe nutrition negatively affects the potential growth rate of suckling lambs in creep feeding condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present systematic review and meta-analysis, we evaluated the effects of providing piglets with creep feed during lactation on piglet pre- and post-weaning performance. A total of 20 articles met the inclusion criteria. Creep feeding in lactation improved pre-weaning piglet performance in 46% of the studies selected, while 58% of the included studies reported that creep feeding in lactation improved piglet performance during the nursery phase. Creep feeding increased the average piglet body weight (creep = 7.23 ± 0.30, no creep = 6.96 ± 0.31; p = 0.03) and litter weight (creep = 81.2 ± 4.18, no creep = 76.4 ± 4.22; p < 0.001) at weaning. The average piglet body weight and litter weight were positively associated (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) with total creep feed intake. Creep feeding of piglets for more than 14 days increased (p = 0.003) the litter weight at weaning compared to litters not provided or provided for shorter periods with creep feed. The present work strengthened the notion that creep feeding during lactation presents opportunities for improving weaning weights and post-weaning piglet performance compared to litters not provided or provided for shorter periods with creep feed.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the lambs' performance in the suckling and finishing phases in different nutritional systems. The study was carried out in two phases: suckling (from birth to weaning) and finishing (from weaning to slaughter). Each phase was evaluated in two experimental periods (characterized by year). The suckling phase used 76 lambs divided into two groups: control (without supplementation) and creep feeding (with creep feeder supplementation of 20 g/kg of body weight). The lambs were distributed in the treatments according to sex and type of delivery (single or twin). The finishing phase was characterized from weaning to slaughter. Sixty-two lambs were used, 28 females and 34 males, average age of 85 days and an average weight of 19 kg, and the animals were distributed in treatments according to weight and sex. Five treatments were evaluated, animals in Brachiaria spp. receiving increasing levels of supplementation (0%, 0.8%, 1.6%, and 2.4% of BW) and confinement as a positive performance control. The creep feeding treatment presented superior performance with an average daily gain of 64.85 g more than the control treatment, which anticipated the shorter age at weaning with higher weaning weight (weaning in 64 days for supplemented lambs and 77 days for animals without supplementation). In the finishing phases, the lambs of the treatments 1.6%BW and 2.4%BW presented average daily gain similar to the confined animals and higher (p<0.05) than the treatments 0.8%BW and 0%BW. We recommend that ad libitum supplementation of creep feeding during the suckling phase is a nutritional strategy to wean heavier lambs and consequently reduce time in the finishing phase. For fattening the lambs, we recommend the inclusion of proteinenergy supplementation of 1.6% BW for lambs produced in the tropical pasture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Semi-natural pastures are unfertilized grasslands with a long history of traditional low-input grazing management. This kind of pastures are recognized for their high species richness. However, as a consequence of modernization of agriculture, many of the semi-natural pastures have been lost during the last century, leading to a serious threat to farmland biodiversity. Semi-natural pastures are relatively low in productivity. Hence, to increase profitability, farmers may want to give the grazing animals access to additional nutrient sources. This can be done either as supplementary feeding, or by fencing the semi-natural pastures into the same enclosure as improved, more nutrient-rich, pastures. These practices are, however, controversial. It is argued that since semi-natural pastures are species-rich partly because they are nutrient-poor, introducing additional nutrients into the system should be avoided. Accordingly, in Sweden, these interventions are often prohibited while receiving financial subsidies for management of semi-natural pastures. However, since many farmers are dependent on such support to maintain their pastures, these prohibitions often cause problems. The question has been raised whether giving the grazers access to additional nutrient sources really affect the biodiversity in semi-natural pastures, as is assumed. The primary aim of the proposed systematic review is to answer this question. Method Peer-reviewed and grey literature will be searched for using bibliographic databases, search engines, specialist websites and stakeholder contacts. The references will be screened for relevance according to a predefined set of eligibility criteria. The criteria will be tested and clarified iteratively, until consistency in interpretations is achieved. Thereafter, the literature will be screened in two stages, first based upon title and abstract and then by examining full texts. Full text screening will be performed with blinded decisions by two independent reviewers. Each relevant study will then be critically appraised, based on a set of predefined validity criteria. A narrative synthesis will be provided, outlining the evidence base in terms of bibliographic information and study metadata. If possible, quantitative syntheses based on meta-analyses will be performed. Identified relevant knowledge gaps will be highlighted and discussed.

This research aims to assess the production and oxidative stress reactions of lambs fed in a specially designed cage for creep feeding. For this purpose, the Akkaraman lambs (n = 60) were separated into four groups (15 individuals by two sexes and two groups), and all were fed the same ration. On the days that all the data was collected, the lambs were precisely 20, 34, 48, and 62 days old. The study included collecting data on body weights, body measures, and saliva samples from lambs. When the change in body weight was investigated, the results indicated that the differences between caged creep and control feeding groups (P = 0.343) and among the groupings concerning gender (P = 0.735) were insignificant. The importance levels of change differences in body measurements based on feeding methods and gender are withers height: P = 0.003, P = 0.198; body length: P < 0.001, P = 0.394; pectoral chest width: P = 0.030, P = 0.906; chest depth: P < 0.001, P = 0.741; chest circumference: P = 0.093, P = 0.529; back length: P = 0.221, P = 0.935; head length: P = 0.004, P = 0.072 and head width: P = 0.112, P = 0.617 calculated. The study's saliva samples, the effects were examined, and significant differences in Malondialdehyde (P = 0.014), superoxide dismutase (P = 0.029), catalase (P < 0.001), and glutathione s-transferase (P = 0.001) were discovered between control feeding and caged creep feeding methods. In ischemia-modified albumin (P > 0.05), the difference between the groups was insignificant. According to these findings, caged creep feeding systems are preferable for achieving faster growth rates in Akkaraman lambs; however, caged creep feeding techniques in bigger areas with longer periods are considered better for welfare conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to evaluate the lambs' performance in the suckling and finishing phases in different nutritional systems. The study was carried out in two phases: suckling (from birth to weaning) and finishing (from weaning to slaughter). Each phase was evaluated in two experimental periods (characterized by year). The suckling phase used 76 lambs divided into two groups: control (without supplementation) and creep feeding (with creep feeder supplementation of 20 g/kg of body weight). The lambs were distributed in the treatments according to sex and type of delivery (single or twin). The finishing phase was characterized from weaning to slaughter. Sixty-two lambs were used, 28 females and 34 males, average age of 85 days and an average weight of 19 kg, and the animals were distributed in treatments according to weight and sex. Five treatments were evaluated, animals in Brachiaria spp. receiving increasing levels of supplementation (0%, 0.8%, 1.6%, and 2.4% of BW) and confinement as a positive performance control. The creep feeding treatment presented superior performance with an average daily gain of 64.85 g more than the control treatment, which anticipated the shorter age at weaning with higher weaning weight (weaning in 64 days for supplemented lambs and 77 days for animals without supplementation). In the finishing phases, the lambs of the treatments 1.6%BW and 2.4%BW presented average daily gain similar to the confined animals and higher (p

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of weaning and concentrate supplementation on the characteristics of carcass cuts and longissimus muscle of Suffolk lambs finished on a Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) pasture. Weaning and concentrate supplementation strategies were evaluated in four finishing systems: i) non-weaned and non-supplemented lambs; ii) non-weaned lambs supplemented with concentrate in creep feeding; iii) weaned and non-supplemented lambs; and iv) weaned lambs supplemented with concentrate. In the systems with weaning, lambs were weaned at 46 ± 6 days of age. In the systems with supplementation, the concentrate was offered daily at 2% of lambs' body weight. Weaning led to a decrease, whereas supplementation led to an increase in carcass cut weights. Supplemented lambs had lower yields of neck and uncovered ribs, and higher yields of breast + flank and loin. The characteristics of loin eye and fat thickness over the longissimus muscle presented lower values in weaned lambs and higher values in supplemented lambs. Keeping lambs with their dams and offering concentrate supplementation until slaughter are strategies recommended to obtain heavier cuts with increased muscularity and fat content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on the evolution of blood metabolites and metabolic markers in neonatal piglets are scarce, although this information is vital to detect physiological aberrations from normal development. We aimed to characterize age- and nutrition-related changes in the plasma metabolome and serum biochemistry of suckling and newly weaned piglets and assess metabolite patterns as physiological markers for the two phases. In two replicate batches (n = 10 litters/group), piglets either received sow milk alone or were additionally offered creep feed from day 10 until weaning (day 28). Blood was collected from one piglet/litter on days 7, 14, 21, 28, 31 and 35 of life, totaling five females and five males/group/day. Signature feature ranking identified plasma triglycerides (TG) as discriminative for age and nutrition during the suckling phase. Influential TG 20:4_36:5, TG 17:0_34:2 and TG 18:2_38:6 were higher in creep-fed piglets on days 14, 21 and 28 of life, respectively, compared to only sow milk-fed piglets. Metabolites belonging to pathways within histidine, D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism as well as hippuric acid were distinctive for the postweaning compared to the suckling period. In conclusion, plasma lipid profiles especially corresponded to the type of nutrition in the suckling phase and showed a strong weaning effect.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of weaning and concentrate supplementation on the characteristics of carcass cuts and longissimus muscle of Suffolk lambs finished on a Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) pasture. Weaning and concentrate supplementation strategies were evaluated in four finishing systems: i) non-weaned and non-supplemented lambs; ii) non-weaned lambs supplemented with concentrate in creep feeding; iii) weaned and non-supplemented lambs; and iv) weaned lambs supplemented with concentrate. In the systems with weaning, lambs were weaned at 46 ± 6 days of age. In the systems with supplementation, the concentrate was offered daily at 2% of lambs’ body weight. Weaning led to a decrease, whereas supplementation led to an increase in carcass cut weights. Supplemented lambs had lower yields of neck and uncovered ribs, and higher yields of breast + flank and loin. The characteristics of loin eye and fat thickness over the longissimus muscle presented lower values in weaned lambs and higher values in supplemented lambs. Keeping lambs with their dams and offering concentrate supplementation until slaughter are strategies recommended to obtain heavier cuts with increased muscularity and fat content.

To combat the stress of weaning, we utilized novel gruel creep feeders to supplement suckling pigs with divergent soluble (n = 6 litters) versus insoluble (n = 6) diets compared with un-supplemented controls (n = 6). Post-weaning, pigs were fed a common phase 1 diet. Average daily weight gains of pigs fed soluble and insoluble creep diets were 53% and 17% greater than control pigs, respectively (p < 0.01). Creep intake was higher (82%) for pigs fed the soluble diet, and the accompanying weight increase was sustained post-weaning (p < 0.02). Villus measures were prematurely altered in soluble-creep-fed pigs (p < 0.01), with decreases in villi length, crypt depth, and villus area pre-weaning. No effects of treatment were detected for VFA concentrations and pH in the cecum. There was an interaction between treatment and age for several pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (p < 0.01), where soluble-creep-fed pigs had increased cytokine levels with age, whereas cytokine levels in the insoluble and control groups decreased over time. We conclude that a soluble creep diet fed in a gruel state during the pre-weaning period has a positive impact on weaning weight that is sustained post-weaning, and is accompanied by alterations in the intestinal health of young pigs.

Background: Semi-natural pastures are unfertilized grasslands with a long history of traditional low-input grazing management. This kind of pastures are recognized for their high species richness. However, as a consequence of modernization of agriculture, many of the semi-natural pastures have been lost during the last century, leading to a serious threat to farmland biodiversity. Semi-natural pastures are relatively low in productivity. Hence, to increase profitability, farmers may want to give the grazing animals access to additional nutrient sources. This can be done either as supplementary feeding, or by fencing the semi-natural pastures into the same enclosure as improved, more nutrient-rich, pastures. These practices are, however, controversial. It is argued that since semi-natural pastures are species-rich partly because they are nutrient-poor, introducing additional nutrients into the system should be avoided. Accordingly, in Sweden, these interventions are often prohibited while receiving financial subsidies for management of semi-natural pastures. However, since many farmers are dependent on such support to maintain their pastures, these prohibitions often cause problems. The question has been raised whether giving the grazers access to additional nutrient sources really affect the biodiversity in semi-natural pastures, as is assumed. The primary aim of the proposed systematic review is to answer this question. Method: Peer-reviewed and grey literature will be searched for using bibliographic databases, search engines, specialist websites and stakeholder contacts. The references will be screened for relevance according to a predefined set of eligibility criteria. The criteria will be tested and clarified iteratively, until consistency in interpretations is achieved. Thereafter, the literature will be screened in two stages, first based upon title and abstract and then by examining full texts. Full text screening will be performed with blinded decisions by two independent reviewers. Each relevant study will then be critically appraised, based on a set of predefined validity criteria. A narrative synthesis will be provided, outlining the evidence base in terms of bibliographic information and study metadata. If possible, quantitative syntheses based on meta-analyses will be performed. Identified relevant knowledge gaps will be highlighted and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Larger litter sizes in swine production systems and potential milk limitations for piglets have given new opportunities to incorporating creep feeding as a management strategy. Sows (n = 51) and their litters were used to test the effects of creep feed and nursery diets on piglet lactation and nursery growth performance. Ten days before weaning, litters were assigned to one of three creep feeding treatments: 1) Control diet: 2) Control+Flavoring (50 ppm Allium XL, Pancosma): 3) No creep feed. Creep feed was delivered twice/day via one bowl creep feeder/litter. Sows and litters (17/treatment) were allotted to equalize parity (average = 2.8), genetics, number of piglets (average = 10.9), and weaning age (average = 19.1). Litter weights and creep feed intake were recorded on d 0, 4, and 10 (weaning). Post-weaning pigs were allotted to Control or Flavoring (50 ppm Allium XL) diets in a 3x2 factorial arrangement. During nursery there were 10 pens/treatment with 7 or 8 pigs/pen, blocked by initial BW within creep treatment. Nursery treatments were fed in phase 1 (1.13 kg/pig) and 2 (2.27 kg/pig) diets followed by common phase 3 (6.8 kg/pig) and 4 (ad lib to d 35) diets. Weekly pig BW and feed intake were used to calculate nursery pen ADG, ADFI, and G:F. Data were analyzed using GLM procedure of SAS 9.4. Creep feeding treatment during lactation did not affect litter or piglet BW gain pre-weaning. Flavoring did not affect total creep feed intake (control = 114 g/pig vs. flavoring = 110 g/pig). Providing creep feed during lactation increased ADFI on days 2, 3, and 4 post-weaning (P < 0.013). Pigs fed either creep feed increased week 1 nursery ADFI (8.8%; P< 0.02), numerically increased ADG (5.2%), and greater d ay7 BW (P = 0.055). Week 3 ADG (P < 0.05) and ADFI (P < 0.05) were greater for the no creep pigs than pigs fed the control creep feed, flavored creep feed pigs were intermediate. For week 4, ADG, and week 4 and 5 ADFI, pigs previously fed control creep had greater growth performance than pigs previously fed flavored creep with pigs fed no creep being intermediate (P< 0.05). Overall (days 0-35), pigs fed control creep had greater ADG (P< 0.05) and ADFI (P < 0.05) than flavored creep fed pigs with no creep pigs being intermediate in ADG and greater ADFI than flavored creep fed pigs. Final BW (P < 0.05) was greater for control creep fed pigs than flavored creep fed pigs with no creep pigs being intermediate (23.5 kg, 23.0 kg, 23.3 kg, respectively). Nursery dietary flavoring treatment did not affect post-weaning ADG, ADFI, or G:F at any point during the study (P > 0.12). Lactation creep feeding significantly increases ADFI and ADG during the first week post-weaning, which could improve post-weaning performance and reduce the rate of pigs failing to thrive post-weaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

O mercado da carne bovina no Brasil vem sofrendo grandes mudanças que afetam diretamente o produtor rural. Os mercados consumidores têm exigido produtos com melhor qualidade. Com isso, os sistemas de criação estão evoluindo para permitir que os animais sejam abatidos mais jovens e com pesos superiores. As propriedades rurais têm procurado se adequar a essa nova realidade, sendo que as propriedades que realizam a fase de cria do bezerro passam a ter grande importância para a cadeia produtiva da carne. Estas necessitam adotar novas técnicas que permitam o desmame de bezerros mais pesados e com maior uniformidade nos lotes, facilitando o trabalhado da fase seguinte, a recria. A utilização de uma dieta diferenciada e privativa no cocho para os bezerros na fase de lactentes é uma alternativa para alcançar o objetivo de produção de animais superiores à desmama.

This study assessed the effects of different amounts of supplement on the productive performance, nutrional caracteristics and behaviour of suckling beef calves, as well as on the productive performance of their dams on tropical pastures. Forty-four male Nellore beef calves with an average age of 120 days and an initial average body weight (BW) of 145±3.7 kg and their respective dams, with an average BW of 449±6.9 kg, were used. The amounts of supplement evaluated were as follows: 0 = calves received only mineral mixture ad libitum; 3, 6, and 9 = calves received 3, 6, or 9 g kg-1 BW of supplement, respectively, containing 250 g CP kg-1 (as-fed). The experimental design was completely randomized. A positive linear effect (P < 0.01) was observed in the intakes of dry matter and organic matter, and a cubic effect (P < 0.07) was observed for the intake of neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein. There was quadratic effect (P < 0.06) for total digestibility of neutral detergent fiber. A cubic effect (P < 0.01) was observed for the calves’ performance. However, the calves’ supplementation did not affect the milk yield and performance (P ? 0.21) of their dams. The supplementation decreased grazing time (P < 0.01) but did not influence suckling time (P ? 0.59). It is recommended supplying of supplement containing 250 g CP kg-1 (as-fed) in amount 6 g kg-1 BW to suckling beef calves managed in tropical pasture. Supplementation of suckling beef calves increases the intake of dry matter, decreases grazing time and forage intake. However, it does not affect the suckling time and productive performance of their dams.

A study was conducted to examine the effects of supplementing beef calves during their suckling phase (popularly known as creep feeding) with supplements that contained or did not contain the enzyme xylanase. Forty-two cow-calf pairs were divided into three groups and assigned to one of three treatments for a period of 105 days, as follows: (1) No supplemental feed for calves (control; CON); (2) Corn and soybean meal-based supplement feed for calves (positive control; PCON); and (3) Same feed regimen as PCON with xylanase added to the supplement (enzyme; ENZ). After 105 days, out of the 42 calves participating in the study, 25 male calves were randomly selected (8 from CON, 9 from PCON, and 8 from ENZ) and samples of their forestomach were collected by esophageal tubing. Immediately after this procedure, all calves were weaned, commingled, and placed in a common post-weaning diet for 4 weeks. At the end of this period, ruminal fluid was once again collected from the same 25 calves. All samples were subjected to DNA extraction and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. At weaning, most of the alpha diversity indexes were greater in CON; however, no differences (P ≥ 0.23) in alpha diversity were observed in samples collected 4 weeks after weaning. Regardless of treatment, 2 phyla – Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes – comprised approximately 80% of the total bacterial abundance of samples collected on both days. At the genus level, an effect of diet (P = 0.02) was observed for Prevotella in the samples collected at weaning; however, no differences were detected in the samples collected 4 weeks after weaning. Calf average daily gain (ADG) during the 105-day creep feeding trial tended (P = 0.09) to be greater in the groups that received supplementation, with the greatest numerical value observed in ENZ. Moreover, there was a positive correlation (ρ = 0.43; P = 0.03) between ADG and abundance of Prevotella, indicating the importance of this bacterial group for ruminants. In summary, most of the significant differences found in this study were detected at weaning, and the majority of them disappeared 4 weeks after the calves were weaned and commingled.

A study was conducted to examine the effects of supplementing beef calves during their suckling phase (popularly known as creep feeding) with supplements that contained or did not contain the enzyme xylanase. Forty-two cow-calf pairs were divided into three groups and assigned to one of three treatments for a period of 105 days, as follows: (1) No supplemental feed for calves (control; CON); (2) Corn and soybean meal-based supplement feed for calves (positive control; PCON); and (3) Same feed regimen as PCON with xylanase added to the supplement (enzyme; ENZ). After 105 days, out of the 42 calves participating in the study, 25 male calves were randomly selected (8 from CON, 9 from PCON, and 8 from ENZ) and samples of their forestomach were collected by esophageal tubing. Immediately after this procedure, all calves were weaned, commingled, and placed in a common post-weaning diet for 4 weeks. At the end of this period, ruminal fluid was once again collected from the same 25 calves. All samples were subjected to DNA extraction and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. At weaning, most of the alpha diversity indexes were greater in CON; however, no differences (P ≥ 0.23) in alpha diversity were observed in samples collected 4 weeks after weaning. Regardless of treatment, 2 phyla – Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes – comprised approximately 80% of the total bacterial abundance of samples collected on both days. At the genus level, an effect of diet (P = 0.02) was observed for Prevotella in the samples collected at weaning; however, no differences were detected in the samples collected 4 weeks after weaning. Calf average daily gain (ADG) during the 105-day creep feeding trial tended (P = 0.09) to be greater in the groups that received supplementation, with the greatest numerical value observed in ENZ. Moreover, there was a positive correlation (ρ = 0.43; P = 0.03) between ADG and abundance of Prevotella , indicating the importance of this bacterial group for ruminants. In summary, most of the significant differences found in this study were detected at weaning, and the majority of them disappeared 4 weeks after the calves were weaned and commingled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation strategy on performance, nutritional and metabolic characteristics of Nellore suckling female calves, on grazing Urochloa decumbens during the rainy-dry transition period. Forty-four Nellore female calves, averaging 147.6 ± 1.34 kg (4 months), were used. A single supplement 20% of crude protein of dry matter was provided, consisting of daily supplement at 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, or 0.6% of body weight. A positive linear effect (P < 0.05) on final body weight and average weight gain of female calves was observed with increased supplementation. Supplementation increased consumption, in kilograms per day, of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), digested dry matter, and total digestible nutrients (TDN), all calculated as % of dry matter. There was no effect of supplementation on the consumption in kilograms per day of neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (apNDF) (P > 0.05). Supplementation increased, in a quadratic way, the total apparent digestibility coefficient of DM, OM, CP, apNDF, and TDN (P < 0.05). There was no effect of supplementation (P > 0.05) on non-esterified fatty acid concentrations. There was a positive linear effect (P < 0.05) of supplementation on insulin concentrations. In this study, it is concluded that linearly increasing the feeding level of a supplement with 20% crude protein (% of DM) in the range of 0.2-0.6% of body weight improves the performance, nutritional and metabolic characteristics of the animals, considering these pasture characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluated the growth of nursling Nelore calves supplemented with chromium during creep feeding. The study was conducted using 131 Nelore calves with an average age of 60 days and average adjusted initial weight of 75 kg; considering that all calves were accompanied by their mothers. Therefore, the experimental groups were defined as T1: 35 males supplemented with chromium; T2: 34 males without chromium, T3: 30 females supplemented with chromium and T4: 32 females supplemented without chromium. The experimental period lasted from 60 days of age to 210 days (weaning), the animals were kept in two pickets of Panicum maximum cv. Mombasa provided with troughs for the creep feeding system, which permitted calves exclusive access to the concentrate formula based on 75% of TDN and 20% of crude protein, with 35% of soybean meal, 63% of corn and 2% of mineral nucleus containing 10 mg of chromium chelate for each kg of the product. The data were subjected to the analysis of variance, using the software R (R Development Core Team, 2013). In the evaluation of the live weight at 150 days of age, no significant difference was found in the use of chromium in males and females (regardless of sex). However, in the analysis between sexes, females’ live weights were lower than males’ live weight (p = 0.04), being 131.1 kg and 138.1 kg respectively. In the evaluation of live weight at 210 days there was no significant difference between males and females (p = 0.07), but there was a difference (p = 0.03) in the use of chrome in the evaluated treatments. So, it could be concluded that the creep feeding system with chrome chelate supplementation promoted an improvement in male and females calves’ growth for average daily weight gain and weaning weight, with a positive influence on the weight of cows.

ABSTRACT The present study evaluated the optimal duration of creep feeding that improves the growth performance and fecal score of piglets and the performance and estrus interval of sows. Sixteen sows (Yorkshire × Landrace) and their litters were used in this 24-day trial. Dietary treatments were: Treatment 1, in which creep feed was not provided; treatment 2, in which creep feed was provided at the 7th day of life (day 7 to weaning); treatment 3, in which creep feed was provided at the 14th day of life (day 14 to weaning); and treatment 4, in which creep feed was provided at the 21st day of life (day 21 to weaning). There was no difference in body weight or loss, backfat thickness or loss, or estrus interval among treatments in the sows. Piglets in treatment 2 had higher body weight (BW) than pigs of treatments 1, 3, and 4. In addition, piglets in treatment 3 had higher BW than those of treatments 1 and 4. From birth to weaning, piglets of treatments 2 and 3 had higher average daily gain than those of treatments 1 and 4. There was no difference in fecal score of piglets among treatments. Piglets fed creep feed initiated from the first week have higher BW and average daily gain at weaning compared with those initiated from the second and third weeks, indicating that a longer duration of creep feeding improves the growth performance of piglets.

This study evaluated the effect of two concentrate supplementation strategies on performance, metabolic profile and economic evaluation of suckling lambs and ewes in ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) pasture. Twenty-seven ewes and 45 lambs were divided into three groups: (1) ryegrass pasture without supplementation - control (CON); (2) CON plus supplemented ewes and lambs at 1% of live weight (SEL), and (3) CON plus creep feeding supplemented lambs at 1% of live weight (CSL). Concentrate use increased (p

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different schemes of calves' supplementation in a creep feeding system, on the behavior of Bos indicus calves and dams, and also the influence of the calves' supplementation on dams' performance. Forty-eight Nellore male calves (147 ± 7 kg body weight and 3 months of age) in the suckling phase and their dams (476 ± 9 kg and 6 years of age) were studied in a completely randomized design. The experiment was divided into two periods of 71 days. The treatments were 5- and 10-g supplement dry matter (DM)/kg BW day offered in periods 1 and 2, respectively (5S/10S); 10- and 5-g supplement DM/kg BW day offered in periods 1 and 2, respectively (10S/5S); 7.5-g supplement DM/kg BW day in both periods 1 and 2 (7.5S); and mineral mix ad libitum in both periods 1 and 2 (MM). No differences ( P < 0.05) in body condition score (BCS), final body weight (FBW), and average daily gain (ADG) were found in dams' performance. Calves from MM treatment spent more time ( P < 0.05) grazing than the supplemented calves from 5S/10S and 10S/5S treatments, in the first period. No difference in suckling time was found between the treatments ( P > 0.05) in the first evaluated period. Calves from 10S/5S treatment spent more time suckling and less time eating supplements ( P < 0.05) than 5S/10S treatment animals, in the second evaluated period. Dams of MM treatment's calves had more idle time and lower grazing time when compared with the mothers of calves from 5S/10S and 10S/5S treatments. It was concluded that different schedules of Nellore calves' supplementation on pasture do not affect their mothers' performance, and supplementation decreases the grazing time of calves in the suckling phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modern consumer of sheep meat requires uninterrupted market supply with qualitatively standardized meat, without excess fat and with high tenderness, which has encouraged producers to slaughter young sheep. A lamb’s diet during the pre-weaning phase was discussed in this review because it is of great importance for achieving success in a meat production system, given the high speed of lambs’ growth during their first weeks of life. Supplying palatable concentrate in creep-feeders from the first days of life promotes pre-stomach development and adapts the animal to a solid diet consumption; important processes for enhancing animal performance, since nutritional requirements, especially for energy, are high during this period and can only be met by milk for a short time. An early weaning technique can be adopted from 35 days old, when adequate nutritional support is provided. Unweaned lamb slaughtering combined with creep feeding and controlled feeding have superior effects to early abrupt weaning, probably by avoiding the adverse effects generated by post-weaning stress. The use of a milk replacer is seldom reported due to the difficulty in finding specific products for sheep and its high cost. Controlled suckling does not affect the performance of lambs. Further studies investigating lamb feeding strategies need to be developed during the pre-weaning period.

The influence of early weaning and concentrate supplementation strategies on sward characteristics, forage chemical composition and lamb productivity were evaluated in four production systems on Tifton-85 pasture: suckling lambs not supplemented until slaughter; suckling lambs supplemented with concentrate in creep feeding until slaughter; early-weaned lambs not supplemented until slaughter; and early-weaned lambs supplemented with concentrate until slaughter. Structural, morphological and productive characteristics of pasture were measured. The forage was chemically analyzed to estimate its composition. Lambs average daily gain and productivity were calculated. Sward height, forage and morphological components mass were lower in systems without weaning. Forage production was higher in systems with supplementation. Higher levels of neutral and acid detergent fiber were observed in forage ingested by lambs in creep feeding and by weaned and unsupplemented lambs. Average daily gain was higher for lambs in creep feeding (275 g/d) and lower for the weaned and unsupplemented animals (57 g/d). Productivity was higher for weaned and supplemented lambs (21 kg lamb body weight, BW gain/ha/d). Lower productivity was observed in systems without supplementation (5 kg lamb BW gain/ha/d on average). Ewes modify the sward conditions improving the pasture characteristics and the quality of forage produced. Changes in sward conditions affect the chemical composition of forage ingested by lambs. Early weaning may be an alternative to maximize pasture utilization in small areas. Concentrate supplementation may increase lamb performance and productivity in grazing systems. If the objective is to improve lamb individual performance, creep feeding should be used.

Piglets can prefer flavors that are presented to pregnant sows, hence this study intended to estimate the effect of prenatal exposure of piglets to flavors on the intake of flavored creep feed and performance. Gestational sows were fed either a flavored (garlic or aniseed; n24) or an unflavored diet (n24) from days 90 to 114 of gestation. Their litters were offered either garlic, aniseed, or unflavored creep feed during the suckling period, and its intake was measured as well as animal’s final body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG). Data was analyzed taking into account the diet offered to both sows and piglets, as well as the interaction between these variables. As previous experiments have shown, flavor learning did not affect a piglet’s performance during the suckling period, finding no differences for creep feed intake, ADG, or BW according to diets (p > 0.05). Repeated exposure of piglets to previously learned flavors without clear post-ingestive benefits could nullify the strategies proposed. Moreover, milk and creep feed diets show a great reward contrast that may accelerate learning extinction. Results of the present and previous experiments suggest that current flavor continuity strategies that are proposed for pig production systems need to be reconsidered.

Accelerated growth programs during prepubertal periods have been promoted to advance the first calving of beef heifers. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate nutrition-induced changes on first lactation milk yield and composition and on gene expression of the mammary gland in Parda de Montaña primiparous cows. Female calves (n = 16) were involved in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment. In the preweaning period (PRE-W; 0-6 mo), female calves were either fed a creep feed supplement (Creep) or fed only their dam's milk (Control). In the postweaning period (POST-W; 6-15 mo), heifers received either a high-energy diet (91.7 MJ/d) or a moderate-energy diet (79.3 MJ/d). All the heifers were managed together from breeding (15 mo) to the end of their first lactation (32 mo). Animal performance; milk production and quantity during the first lactation; plasma glucose, IGF-I, and leptin concentrations; and RNA samples from the mammary gland at the end of the first lactation of the primiparous cows (32 mo) were analyzed. The BW and ADG of the primiparous cow during its first lactation were not different among treatments; however, creep feeding during PRE-W reduced milk production (P < 0.01), milk CP, crude fat, lactose, nonfat solids, and casein content throughout lactation and increased somatic cell count in the third (P < 0.05) and fourth month of lactation (P < 0.10). The energy level during the POST-W had no effect on milk production and quality. Gene expression in the mammary gland was affected by the diet in the PRE-W and POST-W, with the PRE-W diet having the greatest impact. During the PRE-W, creep feeding resulted in upregulation of genes related to immune response and chemokine activity, suggesting that these animals might be in a compromised immune status. Therefore, this strategy would not be recommendable; meanwhile, increasing the energy level in the diet during the POST-W would be recommendable, because it had no deleterious effects on milk yield and composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creep feeding has been used to reduce calves' nutritional dependence on the cow, but research results under tropical conditions have not been conclusive about the effects on the cow. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of high and low supplementation levels for Nellore heifer calves on performance, milk production, and metabolic profile of their mothers. Fifty multiparous Nellore cows and their respective calves were used. The following treatments were evaluated: 0-control, no supplement was fed to calves; 3-calves received supplement in the amount of 3 g/kg of body weight (BW); 6-calves received supplement in the amount of 6 g/kg of BW. There was no significant effect of level of supplementation offered to offspring on cow BW, body condition score (BCS) and subcutaneous fat thickness ( P > 0.05). Level of supplementation of heifer calves did not significantly affect milk production corrected to 4% of fat ( P > 0.05). Fat, protein, lactose, and total solids of the milk also did not differ among supplementation strategies ( P > 0.05). Level of supplement fed to calves had no effect on cows' glucose, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, total protein, and albumin levels ( P > 0.05), but cows nursing calves that did not receive supplement had lower level of serum urea N (SUN; P < 0.05). We conclude that creep feeding in the amounts of 3 or 6 g/kg of BW daily has no major impact on dams' performance and metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little information is available on age- and creep-feeding-related microbial and immune development in neonatal piglets. Therefore, we explored age- and gut-site-specific alterations in the microbiome, metabolites, histo-morphology, and expression of genes for microbial signaling, as well as immune and barrier function in suckling and newly weaned piglets that were receiving sow milk only or were additionally offered creep feed from day of life (DoL) 10. The experiment was conducted in two replicate batches. Creep feed intake was estimated at the litter level. Piglets were weaned on day 28 of life. Gastric and cecal digesta and jejunal and cecal tissue were collected on DoL 7, 14, 21, 28, 31, and 35 for microbial and metabolite composition, histomorphology, and gene expression. In total, results for 10 piglets ( n = 5/sex) per dietary group (sow milk only versus additional creep feed) were obtained for each DoL. The creep feed intake was low at the beginning and only increased in the fourth week of life. Piglets that were fed creep feed had less lactate and acetate in gastric digesta on DoL 28 compared to piglets fed sow milk only ( p < 0.05). Age mainly influenced the gastric and cecal bacteriome and cecal mycobiome composition during the suckling phase, whereas the effect of creep feeding was small. Weaning largely altered the microbial communities. For instance, it reduced gastric Lactobacillaceae and cecal Bacteroidaceae abundances and lowered lactate and short-chain fatty acid concentrations on DoL 31 ( p  < 0.05). Jejunal and cecal expression of genes related to microbial and metabolite signaling, and innate immunity showed age-related patterns that were highest on DoL 7 and declined until DoL 35 ( p  < 0.05). Weaning impaired barrier function and enhanced antimicrobial secretion by lowering the expression of tight junction proteins and stimulating goblet cell recruitment in the jejunum and cecum ( p  < 0.05). Results indicated that age-dependent alterations, programmed genetically and by the continuously changing gut microbiome, had a strong impact on the expression of genes for gut barrier function, integrity, innate immunity, and SCFA signaling, whereas creep feeding had little influence on the microbial and host response dynamics at the investigated gut sites., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Lerch, Yosi, Vötterl, Koger, Ehmig, Sharma, Verhovsek and Metzler-Zebeli.)

The early exposure of the fetus to certain volatiles may result in a further preference for these compounds later in life and could positively affect the acceptance of feed containing a similar flavor and the zootechnical responses. The study consisted of 2 trials to determine if including Fluidarom 1003 (a commercially flavored feed additive containing >25% anethol and cinnamaldehyde and >10% eugenol; Norel S.A., Madrid, Spain, Spain) in sow and postweaning piglet diets 1) provokes the presence or absence of 3 major volatile compounds (anethol, cinnamaldehyde, and eugenol) in amniotic fluid and milk, affecting piglet performance (BW, ADG, ADFI, and feed conversion ratio) after weaning, and 2) modifies creep feed consumption and feed preference in a 2-choice test. The major compounds, anethol, cinnamaldehyde, and eugenol, were detected in amniotic fluid; however, only traces were observed in milk. The inclusion of flavor in the sow diets improved piglet consumption and growth after weaning (P = 0.001). Furthermore, the positive reward associated with the flavor included in the sow diet was stronger when piglets were offered a nonflavored creep feed (P < 0.05). Therefore, early exposure of pigs' fetuses to maternal dietary clues at the end of gestation might allow for conditioning pigs after weaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three different genetic groups were evaluated for growth up to slaughter and carcass quality for kill out, commercial cuts, non-carcass components, as well as carcass morphometric measurements. Pure Santa Ines (SI), ½ Ile de France × ½ Santa Ines (I × SI) and ½ Texel × ½ Santa Ines (T × SI) lambs were weighed weekly until they reached predetermined slaughter weight (30, 35, 40 and 45 kg). In both creep feeding and fattening the animals from crosses were superior to the Santa Ines hair sheep in terms of daily weight gain and weaned in less time. Crossbred animals also showed better performance than purebred Santa Ines in terms of commercial cuts and carcass weights. Correlations showed that fat depth and eye muscle area decreased with an increase in morphometric measures, indicating that larger animals are possibly later developing in terms of carcass finishing compared with smaller animals. The optimal slaughter weight is approximately 35 kg.

Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito dos níveis de suplementação com concentrado contendo 25 % de PB e 3,18 Mcal EM kg-1 MS-1 para cordeiras em pastagem com comedouro privativo sobre o peso e desempenho em distintas idades, início da puberdade e desempenho reprodutivo, foram utilizadas 21 cordeiras Suffolk, divididas em três lotes, sem e com suplementação, alimentadas do nascimento ao desmame com dois níveis de ingestão de concentrado (300 e 600g dia-1) fornecido uma vez ao dia com o registro das sobras diárias. As cordeiras foram identificadas, pesadas ao nascimento e a cada 30 dias, sendo desmamadas aos 60 dias. Não houve diferença significativa para peso e ganho médio de peso diário aos 30 dias de idade. O peso e ganho médio de peso diário foram influenciados pelo nível de suplementação alimentar. O lote com consumo de 600 g mostrou desempenho superior aos demais lotes aos 60 e 120 dias de idade. Para os lotes de 300 gramas e sem suplementação não houve diferença para os parâmetros analisados. A disponibilidade de 600 g diários de concentrado para as cordeiras até o desmame promoveu maior ganho médio de peso diário aos 60 e 120 dias de vida e melhor desempenho reprodutivo no segundo ano de cobertura.

This study was conducted at University of Marília, SãoPaulo State, Brazil, aiming to determine the phase of intake transitionbetween exclusively liquid diet (milk) and diet based onmilk, grass and/or ration by lambs by δ13C technique. Six Suffolkcrossbreeding lambs were distributed in a totally random design(3x2), with two experimental groups and three replications. At thefirst one, lambs were penned and sucked milk from dams fed withC4 diet. besides, they had access to C3 ration in creep feeding, sincetheir birth. At the second group, lambs were kept on a paddock withTifton – 85 grass (C4 photosynthetic way) as well as their dams andhad access to C3 ration in creep feeding, since their birth. The C3ration contained soybean meal, ground oat grains, lucerne hay andalso mineral salt. The penned lambs’ ration consumption overcamethe milk intake at 30-35 days after birth; however, grazing lambsingested more milk and pasture than ration until 40 days afterbirth. The δ 13C technique was considered effective on studies oflambs feeding behavior.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros em pastagem de Tifton-85 (Cynodon spp.) em três sistemas de produção: cordeiros desmamados aos 60 dias de idade e mantidos em pastagem; cordeiros mantidos com suas mães em pastagem; e cordeiros mantidos com suas mães em pastagem e suplementados em creep feeding. O delineamento foi em blocos ao acaso com três repetições, utilizando quatro cordeiros-teste por repetição. Na pastagem, avaliou-se a altura, a massa, a composição morfológica e bromatológica da forragem. Na avaliação do comportamento ingestivo registrou-se, do nascer ao pôr do sol, o tempo despendido nas atividades de pastejo,ruminação, ócio, amamentação e alimentação no creep feeding. Avaliou-se, também, a taxa de bocados ao pastejo. Os cordeiros permaneceram maior tempo em pastejo, e os suplementados despenderam menor (p < 0,05) tempo nessa atividade. Cordeiros nãosuplementadosapresentaram maior (p < 0,05) tempo de pastejo e menores (p < 0,05)tempos de ruminação e ócio pela manhã. A suplementação em creep feeding alterou (p < 0,05) a distribuição das atividades de pastejo e ruminação, indicando efeito substitutivo de forragem pelo concentrado. Concluiu-se que os sistemas de produção influenciaram ocomportamento ingestivo dos cordeiros, não tendo alterado a taxa de bocados destes.The objective of this study was to evaluate the intake behavior of lambs on Tifton 85 pasture (Cynodon spp.) in three production systems: sixty-days-old weaned lambs kept on pasture; lambs kept with their mother on pasture; lambs kept with their mother on pasture in creep feeding. Systems were allocated in a completely randomized blocks design with three replicates and four lambs per replicate. Pasture sward surface height, forage dry matter, and morphological and nutritional characters were assessed. Intake behavior was observed from dawn to dusk. The study assessed the time animals spent in the following activities: grazing, ruminating, idling, suckling, and staying in creep feeding. Bite rate was also evaluated. Lambs spent most of their time grazing, but the supplemented ones spentless time (p < 0.05) in this activity. Non supplemented lambs spent more time grazing (p < 0.05) and less time (p < 0.05) ruminating and idling in the morning than in the afternoon. Supplementation in creep feeding altered (p < 0.05) distribution of grazing and rumination, indicating a substitutive effect of pasture by concentrate. Sheep production systems affected the intake behavior of lambs, but did not affect the bite rate.

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o comportamento ingestivo e o consumo de forragem de cordeiros em sistemas de terminação a pasto. Os tratamentos foram: cordeiros mantidos junto às ovelhas em pastagem de azevém sem suplementação; cordeiros mantidos junto às ovelhas na mesma pastagem, suplementados em creep feeding; cordeiros mantidosjunto às ovelhas na mesma pastagem, suplementados em creep grazing com trevo branco. Foram realizadas três avaliações do comportamento ingestivo, verificando-se as atividades realizadas pelos animais (pastejo, ruminação, amamentação e outras atividades). Houve diferença (p < 0,05) no tempo destinado ao pastejo, à ruminação e a outras atividades, e os cordeiros não-suplementados tiveram maiores tempos de pastejo e ruminação e menor tempo dedicado às outras atividades. O creep feeding reduziu o tempo de pastejo (p < 0,05)provavelmente pelo fácil acesso e pela qualidade da ração concentrada. Os cordeiros em creep grazing tiveram redução (p < 0,05) no tempo de ruminação. A massa de bocado no creep grazing foi superior à dos demais sistemas (p < 0,05), provavelmente pela fácil colheita das folhas de trevo pelos cordeiros. O sistema de terminação interfere na estratégia alimentar dos cordeiros e a preferência pela leguminosa possibilita a utilização do creep grazing na terminação desses animais.The objective of this study was to evaluate intake behavior of lambs in pasture systems: (1) lambs kept with their dams in ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) without supplementation; (2) lambs kept with their dams in the same pasture but supplemented in creep feeding; (3) lambs kept with their dams in the same pasture but supplemented in creep grazing with white clover. Three evaluations of intake behavior were performed to check the activities carried out by animals (grazing, rumination, suckling and other activities). Grazing, rumination and other activities times were different(p < 0.05) for non-supplemented lambs. For these lambs, grazing and rumination times were longer than other activities time compared to other systems. Creep feeding reduced grazing time (p < 0.05), probably due to easy access and quality of concentrate. Lambs in creep grazing had reduced (p < 0.05) rumination time. Bite mass in creep grazing was higher (p < 0.05), probably due to easy harvesting of leaves by lambs. It was concluded that the production system affects feeding strategy of lambs and the preference for legumes suggests the use of creep grazing for finishing lambs.

O desempenho potencial de cordeiros e ovelhas da raça Suffolk em pastagem de capim-tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) e azevém (Lolium multiflorum) foi avaliado em diferentes sistemas de criação: cordeiros desmamados com 60 dias e mantidos em pastagem; cordeiros com ovelhas mantidos em pastagem; cordeiros com ovelhas mantidos em pastagem com creep feeding; cordeiros em confinamento alimentados com feno de alfafa + ração balanceada. Os tratamentos foram impostos quando os cordeiros apresentavam 60 dias de idade até o abate, aos 32 kg, e alocados em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com três repetições. Nos tratamentos em pasto, utilizou-se o sistema de pastejo contínuo com lotação variável. Verificou-se efeito importante dos tratamentos no desempenho dos cordeiros. Os animais em confinamento destacaram-se pelo maior ganho de peso diário e pela menor idade de abate. A suplementação de 1% PV em creep feeding não teve efeito em cordeiros com mais de 60 dias de idade mantidos com as mães em pastagem de capim-tifton 85. A presença da mãe no pasto teve efeito importante e positivo no desempenho individual de cordeiros em comparação aos cordeiros desmamados aos 60 dias.The potential performance of lambs and ewes from the Suffolk breed in pasture of Tifton grass 85 (Cynodon spp.) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) was evaluated in different production systems: lambs weaned with 60 days and kept in pasture; lambs with ewes and kept in pasture; lambs with ewes and kept in pasture with creep feeding; feedlot confined lambs with alfalfa hay + balanced ration. The treatments were applied when the lambs reached 60 days of age until slaughter time, at 32 kg, and were allocated in a completely randomized experimental design, with three replications. A continuous grazing system, with variable stocking rate, was used in pasture treatments. Important effect of the treatments on performance of the lambs was observed. Feedlot confined lambs showed higher daily weight and at lower age at slaughter time. Creep feeding supplementation at 1% LW, did not have effect in lambs with more than 60 days of age kept with the ewes in Tifton 85 grass pasture. The presence of the ewe in the pasture showed important and positive effect in the individual performance of lambs as compared to lambs weaned at 60 days of age.