(Length of lactation, initial and final BW of sow during the first lactation, back fat thickness at the beginning and at the end of lactation, aim and practice of feeding: daily amounts, feeding system, physical form of the diet, protein, energy, and fibre contents of the diet, DM, protein and fat contents of the sow milk, feeding sows after weaning.)

Length of lactation

28 days (same length as weaning) (approx 4 weeks)

initial and final BW of sow during the first lactation

Around 150kg after birthing 20kg fetuses….

Lactation is always NEB = loose weight…

Max 10% can be lost… if more risk of ovulation problem

max 4mm backfat may be lost

Back fat thickness at the beginning and at the end of lactation

Beginning → 18-20 mm

End of lac → 15-16mm

Aim and practice of feeding: daily amounts

• Maximize appetite & feed intake (wet food boosts appetite)
  • Match AAs to level of intake for the feed efficiency
• Maximize milk prod
• Minimise weight loss (should be no more than 10kg)
  • 75% of nutrients consumed go to lactation
  • body tissue are mobilized to meet metabolic demands

Feeding system

• Mostly Ad libitum

  or

• Increamental → Gradual increase until ad libitum

  Day 0 → 1 - 1.8kg

  Day 1-5 → increase 1kg per day until ad libitum is reached (7kg/day)

  Day 6-28 → ad lib 7kg

  • risk of decreasing milk production

• barley based diet may help sows milk better with less post-farrowing problems

• Water supply

  • Adult sow drink 8-12Liter water per day
  • Sow in lactation can drink 40L per day

Physical form of the diet,

Pellets, larger sizes prevent ulcer formation

• Highly palatable nutrient dense feed.
• Soaking feed can increase the feed intake (own choice)

Protein, energy, and fibre contents of the diet

DM, protein and fat contents of the sow milk

accodring to chat gpt

CP : 7%

DM : 18-20%

Fat : 6-8%