Evaluation of three different patterns of feed intake during early lactation in lactating sows

Forty-five multiparous sows (LandracexYorkshire; parity: 3.58 +/- 1.30) were used to determine the effects of three patterns of feed intake during early lactation on the performance of lactating sows. Experimental treatments were as follows: IFI-1.4, the amount of feed increased by 1.4kg per day for the first 5days post-farrowing, followed by adlibitum feeding until weaning; IFI-1.0, the amount of feed increased by 1.0kg per day for the first 7days post-farrowing, followed by adlibitum feeding until weaning; IFI-0.7, the amount of feed increased by 0.7kg per day for the first 10days post-farrowing, followed by adlibitum feeding until weaning. The number of live piglets at birth/litter in three dietary treatments was 11.50, 10.07, and 10.85, respectively. Sows in the IFI-1.4 treatment had lower backfat loss during lactation, greater daily feed intake during days 1-6, 7-12, and 1-24 compared with those in the IFI-0.7 treatment (p<.05). The litter weaning weight, litter weight gain, and average litter daily gain in the IFI-1.4 treatment were greater compared with thosein the IFI-0.7 treatment (p<.05). In conclusion, the results indicated that the IFI-1.4 feed intake pattern allowed lactating sows and their litters to obtain optimal performance.