Does Ad Libitum Feeding during the Peri-Partum Improve the Sow Feed Intake and Performances?

Abstract

This study hypothesized that the ad libitum feeding of sows during the peri-partum may increase the neonatal survival of the piglets and the post-partum recovery of the sow. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of two peri-partum feeding strategies (ad libitum and stepped from day 110 of gestation to day 5 post-partum) on the feed intake, the reproductive performance of sows, as well as the survival of their piglets. A total of 90 Landrace x Large-White dams sired by Duroc were used. The sows were randomly assigned to feeding treatments by balancing body condition and parity between groups. The feed intake of the sows in the peri-partum was lower in the stepped than in the ad libitum strategy. The increase of the feeding level in the ad libitum sows was not counterbalanced by higher number of weaned piglets or shorter weaned to oestrus interval.

Influence of Feeding Compound Feed Rich in Fibre during Parturition and Lactation on Health and Performance of Sows

“…In our study, the sows of the two fibre groups showed no evidence of constipation and associated birth disorders such as an increased farrowing duration or an increased need for farrowing assistance compared to the controls. This result is in line with the findings of Marti et al [ 42 ], who also evaluated the effects of ad libitum feeding on the performance of sows during farrowing. Although the authors did not feed the sows a high-fibre diet but a conventional gestation lactation diet (5% CF as-fed (overall)) ad libitum, they did not observe any negative influences of this feeding strategy on the farrowing process.…”

“…onwards shows that these sows do not seem to be able to make up for the missing feed quantities of the first lactation week by compensatory higher feed intake in the following lactation weeks. This finding was also made by other authors [ 4 , 42 , 51 ] and Neil [ 38 ], who showed in his study that the earlier the sows were given ad libitum feed, the higher their feed intake was during lactation. However, in addition to the ad libitum supply of the lactation diet, the higher feed intake of the ad libitum feeding group could also be due to the fact that these animals had an additional ration with high fibre content available to them in the peripartal period.…”

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

“…Previous studies [39,40] as well reported no difference in the litter performance, the litter weight, or the number of born, born alive, stillborn, or mummified piglets between the restrictively vs. ad libitum fed group-housed pregnant sows. Van der Peet-Schwering et al [41], for example, reported with 13.6 total born piglets in restricted feeding vs. 13.5 under ad libitum feeding conditions very similar results, and Martí et al [42] reported 13.5 total born piglets with restricted feeding and 13.6 total born piglets with ad libitum feeding during late gestation. However, this is not in accordance with Cools et al [43], who found a higher number of total born and born alive piglets to restrictively fed sows during the peripartal period compared to ad libitum fed sows (total born 11.5 vs. 10.5 piglets, live-born 11.1 vs. 10.2 piglets.…”

Sow behavior on the day of farrowing: The main determinant of early piglet growth among maternal ability traits

“…16 Sows that ingest more proteins gain up to 52 g/d more in piglet growth than the other sows 35 . Often, on the day of farrowing, the sow ingests only a very small amount of feed 36,37 , so it is important that she quickly resumes feeding activity to stimulate lactation 38 . This is particularly the case for gilts that have not nished growing and that jointly use more energy for their own growth and milk production 39 .…”