Increased feeding frequency prior to farrowing: effects on sow performance

Abstract

Reducing the interval between the consumption of her last meal and the start of farrowing is suggested to increase the energy available to sows during farrowing, potentially reducing farrowing duration and easing piglet births. The present study aimed to examine whether increasing feeding frequency from one to two feeds within standard production hours (0700 to 1500) would produce a difference in farrowing duration and/or stillborn numbers. From entry to farrowing crates (110 ±1d gestation) to farrowing (116 ±1d gestation), multiparous sows (n = 118) were fed a daily fixed amount of feed either once at 0800 h or in two meals at 0800 h and 1300 h. Sow weights and backfat depths were recorded on entry and exit from the farrowing crate. Litter size and weight were recorded at 24 h after farrowing and at d 21 of lactation. Sows fed twice had shorter farrowing durations and fewer stillborn piglets than those fed once (2.21 ± 0.56 h vs 3.25 ± 0.52 h; P = 0.001). The interaction between treatment and farrowing duration showed that sows fed twice having a reduced farrowing duration had significantly lower stillborn rates than those fed once or those fed twice with longer farrowing durations (P < 0.001). These findings suggest that increasing feeding frequency prior to farrow can reduce farrowing duration and stillborn numbers in some sows, however, some sows remain with a high stillborn rate regardless of feeding frequency. Piglet average daily gain was greater in once-fed sows, but fewer of these sows remained in the herd at subsequent farrowing. Further, subsequent total born and born alive were higher in twice-fed sows. Feeding sows at a higher frequency can improve farrowing performance in some sows and could increase the longevity of the sow in the herd.