The transition period of sows, a week before and after farrowing, has unique nutritional requirements for fetal growth, mammary development, and milk production. During this period, a sow’s energy requirements can increase by over 200%, while lysine (amino acid) requirements can increase by over 300%.
The traditional method of feeding strictly a gestation diet until sows are moved to the farrowing room may not meet the energy and amino acid requirements for this critical stage. If these requirements aren’t satisfied, a sow will use maternal tissue stores to meet the increased lysine and energy demand. Using these energy stores can negatively affect the sow’s ability to support fetal growth, milk production, and subsequent reproduction.
This is exactly why N. Gregory and colleagues in the Huber lab at the University of Guelph investigated an alternative nutrition plan during this critical transition period.
The purpose of this study was to investigate if providing a blend of gestation and lactation diets, to better meet estimated daily lysine and energy requirements during the transition period, would have any effect on the mobilization of maternal energy stores, lactation performance, and subsequent litter performance.
One hundred six primiparous and multiparous sows were enrolled in the trial at approximately one week prior to farrowing and remained part of the study until weaning. The sows were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups:
- Control: Sows were fed 2 kg of a lactation diet until farrowing.
- Transition: A unique daily blend of gestation and lactation diets was fed until four days after farrowing.
After farrowing, the daily quantity of feed was increased in a “step-up” manner until four days of lactation, where the lactation diet was provided to all sows ad libitum. Litters were standardized to 13 piglets within treatments, and piglets were not offered creep feed, so weight gain directly reflected sow milk production.
Key Results:
- Transition sows showed improved maternal body weight gain and reduced backfat depth loss in late gestation.
- Transition sows had lower serum NEFA and BHBA concentrations on day one of lactation, indicating less maternal energy mobilization.
- At birth and into lactation, multiparous sows in the Transition group had the heaviest piglets.
Although no differences in piglet weights were observed by weaning, the reduction in maternal tissue mobilization during the transition period ensures the sow’s ability to maintain milk production during lactation and supports subsequent reproductive success.
This study highlights the importance of dynamic feeding programs during the transition period to help sows maintain maternal tissue stores, better utilize dietary energy, and support fetal growth.
Authors: Kristen Lutz, Nicole Gregory, and Lee-Anne Huber
Affiliation: Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph
