Mixing growing pigs

Try to mix pigs as little as possible. Varley (2001) showed that litters kept together grew 110g/day faster to 20 days post-weaning. My own work (2003) into justifying ‘big pens’ showed that pigs split into 4 pens rather than into one big one grew 13.5% slower from 10 – 92 kg., their feed intake fell by 7.2% and food conversion worsened by 7.2%. Stocking density, feed and water allowances were all up to par. But we all have to mix pigs at one time or another……. *The big error