Effect of feeding level after weaning on reproduction in sows.

Abstract

Three experiments were conducted that involved a total of 415 sows. Feeding levels of 3.6 vs 1.8 kg.head-1.d-1 for sows at weaning were compared in two experiments. In the third experiment, no feed was given for 2 d, then 2.7 kg was fed until sows were bred and 1.8 kg fed thereafter, as compared with 1.8 kg.head-1.d-1 fed throughout the period from weaning to farrowing. Modifying the feeding level from 1.8 kg daily did not shorten the time interval from weaning to breeding or improve other reproductive traits of sows. A trend for fewer sows to be bred was obtained by feeding either 3.6 kg or the zero feed for 2 d then 2.7 kg feeding levels, as compared with those fed 1.8 kg in the first two experiments. In the third experiment, fewer sows were bred (P less than .05) that were fed 3.6 kg than sows fed 1.8 kg daily. First litter sows tended to consume more feed from weaning to breeding than second and third litter' sows when offered 3.6 kg daily, which may indicate a higher energy need for these younger sows.