Background Knowing the feed intake pattern during lactation of modern genetic sows is crucial because it allows to anticipate possible problems and maximize their performance. On the other side, electronic feeders permit real-time data to be available for a more accurate evaluation of sow eating behavior. This work aimed to characterize the feed intake patterns of lactating highly prolific sows and determine their effect on reproductive performance. A database of 1,058 registers of feed intake collected from a commercial farm was used to identify five consistent sets of clusters (feeding curves) using machine learning. In the second step, the five feeding curves were characterized into five patterns by high, medium and low feed intake during 0–6 d and 7–28 d of lactation: 1-HH, 2-MH, 3-HM, 4-MM and 5-LL. Results The mean daily feed intake of all the sows was 6.2 kg (0.06 SEM) across the 5 patterns. As the pattern numbers increased from 1-HH, 2-MH, 3-HM and 4-MM to 5-LL, their mean daily feed intake decreased from 7.6 to 6.9, 6.4, 5.8 and 4.3 (0.06 SEM) kg, respectively (P < 0.01). Sows with Pattern 1-HH tended to have shorter weaning-to-first service interval (P = 0.06) and had a higher farrowing rate than those with Pattern 5-LL (P < 0.01). Furthermore, contrast analysis showed that sows with Patterns 1-HH and 2-MH tended to have more piglets weaned (P = 0.05) and lower preweaning mortality (P = 0.07) than those with Patterns 3-HM and 4-MM. Also, sows with Patterns 1-HH and 3-HM had fewer stillborn piglets and a lower percentage of stillborn piglets and mummies than those with Patterns 2-MH and 4-MM (P < 0.01). Conclusions This study indicates the importance of reaching Pattern 1-HH by rapidly increasing feed intake during early lactation and high feed intake during late lactation, which is associated with high weaning performance and subsequent reproductive performance of the sows. Also, the current study suggests that Pattern 1-HH is linked to good farrowing with a low percentage of stillborn piglets and mummies. Finally, it is critical for producers to timely identify a problem of sows’ eating behavior and to make a prompt decision to intervene.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different treatment protocols for the control of iron-deficiency anaemia and coccidiosis, one combination injection versus injection of iron and oral application of toltrazuril, on the general behaviour of piglets. Piglets were divided into three experimental treatment groups: 24 piglets were left untreated; (control group, C); 24 piglets received an oral administration of generic anticoccidial agent (20 mg/kg BW) plus intramuscular administration of iron dextran (200 mg/ml; 1 ml/piglet) in the same handling (oral + parenteral group, O+P) and 24 piglets received an intramuscular application of the combination product (parenteral group, P). As expected, the handling time was higher in the oral + parenteral group than in the parenteral group. Regarding the behaviour of piglets, the time spent suckling after treatment was variable in the control and oral + parenteral groups, while piglets from the parenteral group spent more time suckling, and hence, their time spent resting was decreased. A statistical trend of lower concentration of cortisol was observed in P compared to O+P after processing. Regarding productivity indices, the average daily gain of piglets during lactation and, subsequently, their weaning weight were higher in P compared to O+P, and similar to the control. In conclusion, administering a combination product injection decreases the time of administration compared to individual treatments.
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