The effects of level of feeding of sows during pregnancy. I. Reproductive performance

1966 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Lodge ◽  
F. W. H. Elsley ◽  
R. M. MacPherson

1. Twelve sets of 3 litter-sister Large White gilts were mated at first oestrus after reaching 250 lb. live-weight and given daily during 3 successive pregnancies either 6 lb. (A), 3 lb. (B) or 3 lb. for 76 days then 6 lb. until parturition (C) of the same meal mixture. During an 8-week lactation all were given 4 lb. meal plus 0·8 lb. per piglet suckled.2. There was a significant linear increase in numbers born with successive parities (P<0·05) but no significant differences between treatment or sister groups. There was a highly significant difference between treatment groups in mean piglet birth weight (P< 0·001) but no parity effect; mean birth weights were 2·76, 2·40 and 2·58 Ib. for Groups A, B and C respectively. Differences between sister groups in mean piglet birth weight were also significant (P<0·05).3. Post-natal litter performance was poor for all groups, probably because of the presence of E. coli, but there was no evidence of treatment effects other than on 3-week weight of third litters, which was significantly greater in Group C than in A or B (P<0·05). There were no significant effects on either number or weight of piglets at 8 weeks.

1984 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Henderson ◽  
P. E. Hughes

ABSTRACTForty multiparous Large White × Landrace sows were randomly allocated to five treatment groups: (1) control (C) — no partial weaning, movement or boar contact, (2) partial weaning (PW) only — sow and litter separated for 12 h/day, (3) PW + boar contact (B) in the sow's pen (1 h/day), (4) PW + sow moved (M) to empty pen (1 h/day), (5) PW + sow moved to occupied boar pen (1 h/day). Treatments were imposed from day 10 post partum until weaning at day 35 (s.e. 1). All sows were generously fed throughout lactation (7 kg/day) and in the post-weaning period (3 kg/day). One sow (treatment 5) exhibited lactational oestrus and was mated on day 33 of lactation, while the remaining sows on treatments 2 to 5 had significantly reduced (P < 0·05) weaning to remating intervals relative to control sows (4·84 v. 6·63 days, respectively). Litter creep food intakes tended to be higher in PW litters than controls (512 v. 376 g/day; P > 0·05), whereas sow live-weight gains during lactation were significantly increased when PW was employed (+0·43 kg/day v. −0·13 kg/day for control sows; P < 0·001). Partial weaning significantly (P < 0·001) reduced litter weaning weights (74·8 v. 87·0 kg for controls). However, there were no significant treatment effects on individual piglet weaning weights, subsequent growth performance of the weaned litters, or the size of litter subsequently produced by the sows.


2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 357-361
Author(s):  
J.O. Oyedeji ◽  
G.O. Imagbenikaro

The study examined the effect of cooling on the reproductive performance of gilts using 27 Large White Experimental Gilts on a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 systems of cooling, namely Wallow Cooling (WC), Sprinkler Cooling (SC) and Zero Cooling (ZC). Gilts were weighed at the commencement of the experiment and thereafter fed ad libitum from service to farrowing. Feed intake till farrow, feed cost, gilt weight at farrow, date of farrow, litter size and weight were recorded. The feed/piglet weight, feed intake/litter, feed cost/litter and birth weight/piglet were derived. The results showed that feed intake per litter and feed per piglet weight were highest for gilts placed on WC(P< 0.05), followed by SC and least for sow placed on ZC; gilt weight before farrow was highest for sow placed on SC (69.78±0.92), followed by ZC (69.33±0.94) and least for gilts placed on WC (67.33±0.87); litter sizes of gilts placed under the WC and SC systems were similar (5.6±0.41) while that under the ZC system was comparatively smaller (5.4±0.40);while the date of farrow was lowest in the ZC system (113.8±0.32) followed by SC (114.0±0.33) and highest under the WC (114.1±0.33). However, the feed intake per litter, feed per piglet weight, litter sizes of gilts, birth weight per piglet of gilts and the average date of farrow among gilts placed on WC, SC and ZC were not statistically different at 5% level of significance. Though, there is no significant difference in the performance among gilts placed on WC, SC and ZC, temperature regulation through provision of efficient cooling system in piggery would help to increase litter size, improve feed intake per litter and reduce the average cost of feeding gilt per day in maximizing reproductive performances in pigs.Keywords: Cooling, gilts, service, farrow, piggery, litter size, piglet and birth weight


1975 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. H. Brooks ◽  
D. J. A. Cole ◽  
W. J. N. Jennings

SUMMARYThe carcass characteristics of young adult female pigs (gilts) slaughtered after weaning their first litters have been investigated using three groups of 19 Landrace × (Landrace×Large White) gilts. In two treatment groups gilts were mated at their pubertal oestrus and suckled their piglets for 5 to 11 and 35 to 42 days respectively. These gilts were slaughtered on average 10 days after weaning. A third control group consisted of unmated gilts slaughtered at 118 kg live weight.There was no significant difference in the killing-out percentage for the three groups. The carcasses of the gilts which farrowed contained significantly less fat (P<0·001) than those of the unmated controls. The carcasses of the farrowed gilts had significantly lighter middle sections (P<0·001) and significantly heavier shoulders (P<0·001) than the controls.Despite the variations in tissue yield and distribution, the yield of prime joints for the gilts which had farrowed was only 0·62 percentage units less than that of the controls.No commercially significant variations between groups in meat quality were observed.


1995 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 561-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. Gaughan ◽  
R. D. A. Cameron ◽  
G. McL. Dryden ◽  
M. J. Josey

AbstractReproductive records from 1072 Large White sows (3589 litters) were used to examine the effect ofbackfat depth (Bd) and live weight (Lw) at selection on first litter and lifetime reproductive performance. The variables investigated included mating age, total piglets born, total born alive, piglet birth weight, number weaned, piglet weaning weight, weaning to remating period and number of litters produced. Using backfat depth, sows were categorized into three groups: L, 9 to 13 mm; M, 14 to 16 mm; and F, ≥17 mm. Bd had no significant effect (P > 0·05) on the measured traits for the sows grouped by fat at first parity. When lifetime reproductive data were analysed, the L group had fewer litters (P < 0·05), and weaned fewer pigs (P < 0·01) than either the M or F group. The birth weight for piglets from L sows were significantly higher (P < 0·05) than for piglets from the other groups. The data suggest that the reproductive performance of L sows is not as good as that of M or F sows.


1973 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. H. Brooks ◽  
D. J. A. Cole

SUMMARYThe reproductive performance and food conversion efficiency ofyoung female pigs (gilts) destined for slaughter after weaning their first litter were investigated using four treatment groups of 19 Landrace × (Landrace × Large White) gilts. In two treatment groups gilts were mated at pubertal heat and suckled for 5 to 11 and 35 to 42 days respectively. These gilts were slaughtered following weaning. A third group of gilts were conventionally mated at third oestrus and suckled for 35 to 42 days. These animals acted as controls for reproductive performace. The fourth treatment group consisted of unmated gilts, slaughtered at 118 kg live weight, which served as controls for food conversion efficiency, growth rate and carcass measurements.There were no significant differences in either the number or weight of piglets born in any of the treatment groups. The food conversion efficiency and growth rate of the mated gilts was significantly (P< 0·001) worse than that of the unmated gilts marketed at heavy weights. Of the mated gilts those mated at puberty and weaned at 35 to 42 days had the best overall feed conversion efficiency (4·56: 1) between the start of the experiment and weaning and required less food per piglet reared to 6 weeks of age than the gilts mated at third heat.


1972 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Lodge ◽  
M. E. Cundy ◽  
R. Cooke ◽  
D. Lewis

SUMMARYForty-eight gilts by Landrace sires on Large White × Landrace females were randomly allocated to eight pens and within pens to six treatment groups involving three diets and two levels of feeding from 23 to 59 kg live weight. All diets were formulated to have approximately the same ratio of digestible energy to crude protein (160 kcal DE/unit % CP) but different energy and protein concentrations: (A) 3500 kcal/kg DE and 21 % CP, (B) 3150 kcal/kg DE and 19% CP, and (C) 2800 kcal/kg DE and 17% CP. Amino acid balance was maintained relatively constant with synthetic lysine, methionine and tryptophan. The levels of feeding were such that the lower level of diet A allowed an intake of energy and protein similar to the higher level of diet B, and the lower level of B was similar to the higher level of C.On the lower level of feeding, growth rate, efficiency of feed conversion and carcass fat content increased linearly with each increment in nutrient concentration; on the higher level of feeding growth rate and EFC increased from diet C to B but not from B to A, whereas carcass fat content increased linearly with diet from the lowest to the highest concentration. There was a non-significant tendency for the higher density diets at a similar level of nutrient intake to give better EFC and fatter carcasses than the lower density diets.


1969 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. H. Pike ◽  
T. G. Boaz

SUMMARYIn a factorial experiment the effect of two protein intakes and three patterns of feeding in the second pregnancy of 48 Large White x Wessex Saddleback sows was examined. The high protein (HP) diet (19·5% crude protein) contained 15% white fish meal. The low protein (LP) diet (10·5% crude protein) contained cereal protein only. Nutrient components of the diets differed in protein only. The pattern treatments involved allowances of 1·8 kg (L), 2·7 kg (C) and 3·6 kg (H) per day, the three pregnancy patterns being HL, C and LH with the changeovers made from the 49th to the 63rd day post coitum (p.c). Sows on the three pattern treatments received the same total amount of feed from 0–112 days p.c. and were treated alike at farrowing and during lactation.Fertility and parturition results were similar for all treatments, but the number of piglets alive after birth (when weighed) was least for LP sows on the HL pattern. At 3 weeks of age the size and weight of litters on HP sows were significantly greater than those on LP sows (P < 0·05 and < 0·001 respectively). More piglets were weaned by HP sows than LP sows (P < 0·05). HP sows gained more weight in pregnancy (P < 0·001) which was slightly longer, and lost more weight in lactation (P < 0·05) than LP sows.The HL pattern of feeding was associated with smaller live weight gains in pregnancy than the LH pattern (P < 0·001) and the total birth weight of HL litters was lighter than LH (P < 0·05), mean piglet weights being similar. Lactation performance was unaffected by pattern treatment.The main conclusion is that a low intake, particularly during the latter half of pregnancy, of protein which is of vegetable origin, is associated with decreased viability of the piglets at birth and in early suckling life, and with lower capacity of the sows for milk production.


Author(s):  
Mesut Yıldırır ◽  
Orhan Karadağ ◽  
Mustafa Yilmaz ◽  
Mehmet Akif Yüksel ◽  
Tamer Sezenler ◽  
...  

The aims of this study were to evaluate the traits of reproductive, milking and growth performance of Saanen and Saanen × Hair crossbreds (F1, B1 and B2) raised at the Bandırma Sheep Research Institute. The data were collected from 868 goats for reproductive performance and milk yield and from 1077 kids for survival performance between 2009-2012. Milk components (fat, protein, lactose and non-fat dry matter) of goats (n=162) and body weight changes of kid’s (n=64) were evaluated for one year in 2012. Estrus rates and survival rates were similar among all genotypes. Kidding rate was significantly higher in F1 goats than Saanen goats. Saanen goat had the lowest average mean daily milk yield compared with other genotypes. The effect of year and age were significant on milk yield. Goats in F1 and B1 genotypes had higher milk protein percentage and non-fat dry matter content in comparison with Saanen and B2 genotype. Milk fat and lactose contents were similar among genotypes. Birth weight and monthly live weight were similar between genotypes while weaning weight, six month live weight and yearling live weight were higher in B1 kids in comparison with Saanen kids. The effect of dam age and birth type were significant on birth weight, monthly live weight and weaning weight. The findings related to performance characteristics in goat genotypes investigated show that B1 genotype could be recommend for semi-intensive production system in the Western Anatolia.


2017 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 254-259
Author(s):  
V. O. Melnik ◽  
O. O. Kravchenko ◽  
О. S. Kohut

Improving of fertility indicators and reproductive qualities of sows during artificial insemination in farms of different specializations is very topical issue. The introduction of artificial insemination of sows on breeding farms by the spermdoses of optimum volume, by the frozen-thawed and sex sperm requires the introduction of innovative reproductive technologies. The use of economical methods of artificial insemination of sows using a minimum number of sperm in a small volume of spermdose in order to achieve high rates of fertility and prolificacy was proven in numerous experiments of the authors. Significantly reduced spermdose may be sufficient if the sperm enters deep enough into the uterus. Vitality of sperm does not depend on the size of spermdose, but the best place for sperm to survive one oviducts where they keep the fertilizing capacity from 9 to 27 hours. So deep intrauterine insemination of sows improves conditions for sperm survival The aim was to study the feasibility and justification for widespread implementation in to production on breeding farms of intrauterine insemination of sows morder to increase their fertilization and prolificacy and  to save the boar sperm with the highest index of breeding values. Experiments were conducted in terms of selection and genetic center of Agrofirm "Mig-Service-Agro" in Mykolaiv region. In the experiment used 65 sows of live weight of 280-320 kg wiht 2-4 farrowing were. Sows in sexual hunting were showed once daily in the morning using a boar-prober. Artificial insemination was performed twice: the first time - in the afternoon and at 14-16 p.m. The second time – in the morning of the next day at 9-10 am. For artificial insemination of sows were ed using experimental spermodes with volume of 40 ml which contained 1.5 billion of a Active sperm. For the dilution of sperm was used Durasperm - KRUUSE (Denmark) the period of sperm perpetuation is 5-7 days. To enter the were semen used catheters Magaplus S, (Spain) for intrauterine insemination of sows. Analysis shows that the period from weaning to insemination has significant difference comparing sows of large White breed with Landrace breed (p <0.001), with genotype sows F1 (p <0.01) and sows of the Duroc breed (p <0.05). For all selected 65 sows duration of suckling period, was estimated which averaged 32.2 days and the average time from weaning of pigs to their sexual inclination and the first intrauterine insemination 6.8 days that meets the physiological norm. After intrauterine insemination of sows of then 48 farrowed, which wich made for 73.9%. іncluding live 5 emergency farrow  were obtained, representing 10.4% of all amount. Percentage of farrow is considered physiologically normal – 80%, or more of total insemined sows. The very low percentage of farrow 53.3% had of sows F1, and the highest percentage was found by sows of the Duroc breed – 85.7%. Pregnency of sows were received just 17, which made 26.1% and highest percentage – 46.7% was set by sows F1. Analysis of the pregnancy sows shows that on average it is 116.2 days was the longest – 117.1 days was set in Landrace breed sows and the short est 115.5 days in Large White breed, but the difference is not significant. 571 pigs were received, іncluding live 451 head, which is 78.9%. The largest percentage of іncluding live piglets obtained from sows F1 – 82.5%, and the lowest in Landrace breeds – 77.0% and Large White – 77.3%. Exit of all piglets per sow without emergency farrowings is 12.2, іncluding live – 9,8. The highest yield were obtained piglets from sows F1 – 13.1, іncluding live – 10.9, the lowest yield of sows of the Duroc breed – 10.6, іncluding live 9.1, which has significant difference compared with the control (IDPs) and other breeds.  After intrauterine insemination 8 sows showed cyclic deregulation in 20-25 days, ie repeated sexual hunt took place on average 22.3 days. These sows were inseminated by not fractional way, they farrowed and an average litter just 13.1 piglets per sow, іncluding live - 11.3 was obtained. Repeating after intrauterine insemination on 45-48-49 day in the sexual hunt came about three sows for artificial insemination by not fractional method 3 farrowed and was obtained output – 13.3 piglets, іncluding live – 11.7. It should be noted that the best sow Large White breed №12 after intrauterine insemination bore 16 pigs, іncluding live 11, sow of Landrace breed №1556 – 18 pigs, іncluding live 12, Duroc №5888 – 13 pigs, іncluding live 11, sow F1 №167 – 20 pigs, іncluding live 14 pigs. Breeding requires more careful handling with major sows taking into account their breeding value and cost, that’s why we believe that there is no need to risk causing injury genitals with intrauterine insemination if a sufficient number of spermdoses of boars-sires exist.


2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoang Nghia Son

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of nano mineral-supplemented diet on sow productivity. The data were estimated by several parameters consisting of piglet live ratio at newborn stage and weaning stage, piglet weight at newborn stage and weaning stage, metal content in piglet livers. The results showed that live ratio of newborn piglets in group III was highest (93.44 ± 2.83%) comparing with other groups. However, there was no significant difference of live ratio in piglets at weaning stage between nano mineral-supplemented groups with control. The birth weight of piglets in nano mineral-supplemented groups was similar to control group. The birth weight of piglets in nano mineral-supplemented groups was ranged from 1,361.61 ± 47.37 grams (group II) to 1,410.48 ± 44.28 grams (group I). However, the average weight of weaned pigs in groups III and IV was higher than other groups (6,772.92 ± 105.47 grams and 6,818.87 ± 89.59 grams). Moreover, the amount of Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn in piglet liver from nano mineral-supplemented groups have been found to be lower than those in control group. These results revealed that the supplement of nano minerals for sows promoted the reproductive performance of sows and reduced mineral content in the liver of piglets. 


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