The aim of the study is to compare the 12 CCM (Cooking Combined Feeding) machines under investigation with regard to practical aspects such as ease of use, cleaning, daily operation, and adjustability. As a key component, production-related economic data such as live weight gain, feed consumption, and feed losses will also be collected.
A total of three piglet rearing cycles per feeder are assessed, with the cycles conducted consecutively. Approximately 20 piglets per pen are kept in the rearing compartment for eight weeks at a time, on a three-week cycle.
The practical data collection will be carried out in cooperation with Ms. Anja Weißnegger (editor of the trade journal "Der fortschrittliche Landwirt"). The HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein will provide scientific support for the trial (assistance with trial planning, development of the methodology, creation of data collection protocols) as well as data processing and statistical analysis.
The results of this project are intended to offer agricultural practice, for the first time, a direct comparison opportunity for such automatic feeders and to serve as a targeted selection and evaluation aid.
In addition, the assessment of animal welfare aspects (risk of injury and documentation of injuries) should help to ensure that the keeping of piglets in the rearing barn is as animal-friendly and injury-free as possible with regard to feeding.
