The discrepancy between the two studies can
be explained by the fact that the present study did not
compare high and low nutrient density diets directly,but
rather looked at differences in the allocation of phase1
and 2 diets in the immediate postweaning period. The
quantity of phase1 and 2 diets required by pigs may not
be greatly affected by weaning age,as is suggested from
the findings by Lawlor et al.(2003a). These authors found
that when newly weaned pigs were given a free choice
between phase1,2 and 3 diets,weaning age(19vs.26
days)did not influence the quantity of phase 1 diet
selected by the pigs.This may suggest that it is weaning
per se rather than weaning age that determines the
optimum allocation level of nutrient dense postweaning
diets.