Feeding levels during early gestation in a group-housing system for primiparous sows: Impact on piglet birthweight and litter uniformity.
Anim Biosci
; 2024 Aug 26.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39210797
ABSTRACT
Objective:
The current study investigated the impacts of different feeding regimes during early gestation on conception rate, litter traits, piglet birthweight, and litter uniformity in primiparous sows.Methods:
In total, 108 primiparous sows were inseminated and assigned to either a standard (1.9±0.5 kg/day, S) or high (2.9±0.8 kg/day, H) feeding levels during the first 35 days of gestation. The feeding regimes were categorized based on periods of gestation 1 to 3, 4 to 15, and 16 to 35 days, resulting in four groups SSS (n=26), SSH (n=28), SHH (n=28), and HHH (n=26). Afterwards, sows were placed into a group-housed system equipped with electronic sow feeders. The sows were weighed and assessed for backfat thickness and loin muscle depth at 0 and 35 days of gestation. At farrowing, data were collected on the total number of piglets born per litter (TB), piglet birthweights, and the coefficient of variation of piglet birthweights.Results:
On average, sows gained 22.5±21.6 kg during the first 35 days of gestation, showing a positive correlation with backfat gain (r=0.954, p=0.006). The backfat gain in the HHH group was higher than in the SSS (p=0.016) and the SSH groups (p=0.023), but did not differ from the SHH group (p=0.684). Conception rates did not show differences among the feeding regimes (p>0.05). Individual piglet birthweights in the HHH group were higher than those in the SSH group (p<0.001). Likewise, the percentage of piglets with birthweights <1000 g in the HHH group was lower than that in the SSH group (p<0.001). However, the variation of piglet birthweight did not differ among the groups (p>0.05).Conclusion:
Increasing feeding levels in primiparous sows in a group-housed system during early pregnancy can effectively restore their body condition without any detrimental effects on subsequent litters.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article