Optimizing sow feeding for healthier piglets

By Scout Nelson

The path to healthier piglet births is deeply rooted in the feeding strategy adopted during a sow's gestation period. As underlined by pig expert, Thomas Sønderby Bruun from SEGES Innovation, these strategies can play a pivotal role in determining the health, vitality, and overall success of the birthing process.

Gestation Feeding's Role:

-Successful piglet conception and implantation.

-Maintaining sow's optimal body condition for lactation.

-Ensuring proper uterine and maternal growth.

A uniform condition in sows towards the end of gestation can notably elevate the litter's weight gain during lactation.

Maintain Body Condition:

The condition of a sow's body, especially its backfat, directly impacts the lactation performance. Regular backfat measurements, ideally at stages like weaning, 28 days of gestation, 70-80 days, and farrowing, guide the feeding process.

An ideal thickness of 14-17mm at farrowing, based on a Danish study, seems to promote better nursing capacities in sows.

The Feed Additive Debate:

While some believe in the potency of feed additives like L-cartinine or arginine to impact birth weight, consistent results remain elusive. High lysine and protein levels aren't recommended as they lead to excessive muscle mass in sows.

Focus on Early to Mid-gestation:

The early gestation period is crucial for placental development, which in turn affects the vitality of the piglets. An upcoming trial by SEGES Innovation aims to explore this further, with results anticipated around October 2024.

Late-gestation Feed Levels:

In the 3-4 weeks leading up to farrowing, 3.4 kg of feed daily is considered ideal for the sows, catering to maintenance, foetal growth, and udder development. SEGES Innovation's study suggests extra feed or amino acids don't necessarily influence piglet birth weight.

In essence, the right feeding strategy during a sow's gestation can greatly influence the health and vitality of the piglets, paving the way for a more successful farrowing process.

Photo Credit: istock-srdjan-stepic