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

Forty-five multiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire; 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 1.4 kg per day for the first 5 days post-farrowing, followed by ad libitum feeding until weaning; IFI-1.0, the amount of feed increased by 1.0 kg per day for the first 7 days post-farrowing, followed by ad libitum feeding until weaning; IFI-0.7, the amount of feed increased by 0.7 kg per day for the first 10 days post-farrowing, followed by ad libitum 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 those in 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.