Effects of timing and size of meals prior to farrowing on sow and litter performance

Abstract

A total of 727 mixed parity (µ = 3.8) sows were used to evaluate the effects of timing and size of meals before farrowing on sow and litter performance. Upon entry to the farrowing house (day 113), sows were blocked by weight within parity and allotted to one of three three feeding management strategies until farrowing: (1) 2.7 kg lactation diet (1.15% standardized ileal digestible lysine and 2,153 kcal/kg net energy) once daily at 0700 hours; (2) four daily meals of 0.67 kg (0100, 0700, 1300, and 1900 hours); (3) ad libitum lactation diet and encouraged to consume feed at 0100, 0700, 1300, and 1900 hours. After farrowing, all sows were provided lactation diets fed on an ad libitum basis until weaning. Data were analyzed for treatment effects within parity category in a mixed model with block as a random effect. Feeding sows ad libitum before farrowing tended to reduce sow body weight (BW) loss (P = 0.077) and reduce backfat (BF) loss (P = 0.003) from entry into the farrowing house until weaning compared with sows fed four daily meals, with sows fed once daily intermediate. Litter gain from 24 h to weaning tended to be greater (P = 0.073) in sows fed on an ad libitum basis or four times daily prior to farrowing compared with sows fed one meal. Piglet weaning weight increased (P = 0.050) in sows fed on an ad libitum basis before farrowing, compared with those fed one meal, with those fed four times daily intermediate. There was no evidence for difference in farrowing duration, stillborn rate, colostrum yield, or 24 h piglet survival regardless of treatment. However, from 24 h after farrowing to weaning, sows fed one daily meal prior to farrowing had an increased (P = 0.012) percentage of fall-behind pigs compared with sows fed on an ad libitum basis, and increased (P = 0.027) preweaning mortality compared with sows fed four daily meals, resulting in reduced (P = 0.006) weaned percentage compared with sows fed four daily meals. There was no evidence for difference (P > 0.10) in subsequent reproductive performance regardless of treatment. In conclusion, when sows were fed on an ad libitum basis from 2 to 3 d, before farrowing there was an observed improvement in sow BW and BF maintenance during lactation, and piglet weaning weight during lactation. Increased frequency of meals prior to farrowing improved the survival of pigs to weaning compared with sows fed a single meal prior to farrowing.

Effects of Using Farm-Grown Forage as a Component in ad Libitum Liquid Feeding for Pregnant Sows in Group-Housing on Body Condition Development and Performance

“…It has been observed that a longer farrowing duration is associated with an increased piglet stillborn rate [45,46]. However, there was no evidence for a difference in the stillborn rate in this study, regardless of the feeding system.…”

Risk factors associated with dystocia in swine

“…Hence, these factors may also be associated with dystocia. More importantly, the categorization of prolonged birth interval as part of dystocia will establish an easy guide for when to apply obstetric intervention to assist sows and piglets [ 2 , 8 , 9 ], thereby reducing the stillbirth rate.…”

Effects of Litter Size and Parity on Farrowing Duration of Landrace × Yorkshire Sows

“…The coefficient of variation of TNB and NBA were larger, about 27%. Significant difference was not found in FAR between different TNB, but found between different NBA because of the interact between FAR and stillbirth [ 19 ]. Shortening the length of FAR will not reduce the effective NBA.…”