Effect of sow parity and weight at service on target maternal weight and energy for gain in gestation

The objective of this study was to evaluate targeted maternal weight gains in sows by parity group during gestation. Weight and backfat gains during gestation by parity, weight, and backfat groups also were analyzed. The data evaluated were a subset (374 sows) of a larger experiment that compared three methods of feeding sows during gestation on weight and backfat gains and subsequent reproductive performance. Feed allowances were based on modeled calculations of energy and nutrient requirements to achieve target sow maternal weight and backfat gains. Actual backfat gain for gilts and sows was regressed on maternal weight gain and estimated energy available for gain. The regression equations were then used to predict maternal weight gains for target backfat gains for three parity groups (gilts, Parity 1 and 2 sows, and Parity 3 and older sows). For gilts and Parity 1 and 2 sows, much greater target maternal weight gains are required to achieve 6 and 9 mm of backfat gain, whereas Parity 3 and older sows require maternal weight gains similar to those targeted to achieve the desired backfat gain. Given similar energy intake levels above maintenance, gilts gained more weight than multiparous sows, as gain was based more on protein and less on fat and thus was more efficient. Gilts required more maternal weight gain than sows to achieve similar backfat gains due to the higher protein and low fat contents of gain in younger, lighter sows compared with older parity sows. Low-backfat sows that needed to gain large amounts of backfat failed to achieve these large gains. We speculate this failure may be due to lower tissue insulation levels with the low backfat levels and higher activity levels of these sows compared with high-backfat sows. It seems that both parity and weight are individually important factors that influence energy and nutrient requirements for gestation in the modern sow.     

氨基酸与母猪营养

母猪饲养是养猪生产中最重要的环节之一。母猪的营养尤其是蛋白质和氨基酸营养不仅直接影响仔猪的生长性能,而且也对母猪的使用年限和繁殖性能会产生很大影响。母猪蛋白质及氨基酸营养受品种、胎次、母猪体况、产仔数、泌乳量、采食量、哺乳期长短等诸多因素影响,增大了母猪氨基酸营养的研究难度。同时母猪个体较大、研究成本高、试验群体偏小、数据采集困难以及试验误差较大等问题也限制了母猪蛋白质及氨基酸营养的系统研究。本文对母猪的氨基酸营养进行综述,旨在为养猪生产实践中母猪日粮的合理配制提供参考。     

Comparison of injuries in sows housed in gestation stalls versus group pens with electronic sow feeders

OBJECTIVE: To compare the location and severity of injuries in pregnant sows housed in individual gestation stalls with that in pregnant sows housed in dynamic groups in pens with electronic sow feeders. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 100 pregnant sows of parity 1 to 3 and various body weights. PROCEDURE: Fifty sows each were randomly allotted to gestation stalls or group pens with electronic sow feeders. Injuries were scored on the basis of location, number, and depth of wounds. Injury scores for sows in both housing systems were compared during a period of 90 days. The influence of factors such as duration of stay in the housing system, parity, and body weight on sow injuries was also examined. RESULTS: Injury scores were higher in group pens with electronic sow feeders. As body weight increased, injury scores decreased for sows housed in group pens with electronic sow feeders and increased for sows housed in gestation stalls. There was a significant negative association between second parity and total injury scores. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Modifications in housing system design and management procedures are needed to reduce injuries in pregnant sows.     

母猪妊娠期长短影响因素分析及其对产仔数的影响

我国是养猪大国,但生产效率相较于发达国家仍然相差很大,缩短母猪的繁殖周期是提高猪场综合生产效率和经济效益的有效手段.本文通过分析四川某种猪场包括大约克和长白猪的15665条繁殖数据,从母猪品种、公猪品种、配种季节和胎次等不同因素分析其对母猪妊娠期长短的影响,以及妊娠期长短对母猪产仔数的影响.结果表明,品种对母猪妊娠期有...     

泌乳期母猪的饲喂频率对其体况、生产和繁殖性能的影响

文章评估了哺乳期间母猪的饲喂频率(2或3次/d)对母猪体况、繁殖性能及仔猪生长性能的影响。试验选择68头母猪,随机分为8组(每组8~10头母猪),哺乳期间其中4组母猪每天饲喂2次,另外4组每天饲喂3次,母猪分为青年母猪(<2胎次)和老龄母猪(≥3胎次),试验结束后记录母猪体况评分、肩部组织病变、发情率、母猪生产及仔猪生长性能。结果显示:每天饲喂3次的母猪比饲喂2次的母猪采食量高(P<0.05),肩部组织病变低(P<0.05)。在每天饲喂3次的母猪中,青年母猪返情率为0%,老龄母猪返情率为29%,而在每天饲喂2次的母猪中,青年母猪发情率为20%,老龄母猪为5%。综上所述,在哺乳期,母猪每天饲喂3次较每天饲喂2次提高了采食量,对母猪体况评分和肩部组织病变有改善作用,同时也降低了年轻母猪的返情率。     

Effect of energy and lysine intake in gestation on sow performance

Nutrient intake during gestation has an impact on gestation parameters and subsequent lactation performance. The objectives of this experiment were to determine the impact of feeding two levels of amino acids in gestation on sow BW changes in gestation and lactation, and litter size, and to evaluate a factorial method for determining daily energy requirements. At mating, 419 sows (Camborough 15; Pig Improvement Canada, Acme, AB) were assigned randomly within Parities 1, 2 or 3+ to a gestation diet containing either 0.44% (low lysine) or 0.55% (high lysine) total lysine and 3,100 kcal DE/kg; other indispensable amino acids were adjusted to lysine based on ideal protein ratios. Feed allowance in gestation was determined factorially using estimated DE requirements for maintenance, maternal gain, and conceptus growth. Sows were allowed free access to the lactation diet. Gestation BW gain from d 0 to 110 was affected by parity (61.2, 60.0, and 42.3 kg for Parity 1, 2, and 3+, respectively; P < 0.05) but not (P > 0.10) by gestation lysine level. Sow BW changes from d 0 of lactation to weaning were affected by parity (0.5, 6.8, and 5.8 kg for Parity 1, 2, and 3+, respectively; P < 0.01) and gestation BW gain (P < 0.01), but not by gestation lysine level (5.0 vs 3.8 kg for low and high lysine, respectively; P > 0.10). Total piglets born was affected by parity (11.5, 12.1, and 12.5, for Parity 1, 2, and 3+, respectively; P < 0.01) and increased with increasing sow BW gain (P < 0.05). Total piglets born alive (mean = 11.2) was increased with increasing sow BW gain (P < 0.05). Total litter weight born alive was affected by parity (15.9, 18.6, and 19.4 kg for Parities 1, 2, and 3+, respectively; P < 0.01) and gestation BW gain (P < 0.05). The model used to determine daily energy intake requirements resulted in an average BW gain of 10.6 kg above the targets set by the model. Total lysine intakes greater than 10.6 g/d in gestation did not improve sow productivity. Setting target weight gains in gestation and feeding to meet these targets may not always provide predictable results due to a number of factors that affect the energy requirement in the sow.     

REVIEWS: Compilation of the Scientific Literature Comparing Housing Systems for Gestating Sows and Gilts Using Measures of Physiology,Behavior, Performance,and Health

The objective of this review was two-fold. First, a series of meta-analyses (analyses of treatment effects across studies) were performed on available data from scientific literature to determine whether sow behavior, performance, or physiology differed for sows in group pens or individual stalls. Second, research publications in areas of performance and health, physiology, and behavior of pregnant gilts and sows in studies that directly compared gestation sow housing systems were summarized. Common systems were stalls, tethers, and various types of group housing systems. Results of meta-analyses showed that the average levels of productivity, oral-nasal-facial behaviors (ONF), and blood cortisol were statistically similar for sows in group pens and stalls. For the review, in some studies, circulating cortisol concentrations were greater among gestating females kept in tethers compared with other systems; however, overall cortisol was not altered by housing system. Immune parameters were largely not influenced by housing system. Housing system did not alter heart rate. Gestation housing system may influence sow behavior including stereotypic ONF, postural locomotory, feeding behaviors, or social behaviors. Overall, total ONF behaviors were comparable between gestation sow housing systems. However, tethered and stalled sows exhibited more stereotypic ONF compared with sows in group or outdoor systems. Compared with group housing, individually confining sows during gestation resulted in postural and movement restrictions. Stall size and design can impact postural adjustments and inter-stall aggression of individually housed sows. Inconsistent performance and health results were found among sow housing studies. Sows in stalls consistently had equal or greater reproductive performance compared with sows in other systems. Farrowing rate for sows in individual stalls was equal to or superior to sows in other systems. Farrowing rate was clearly superior among sows in stalls compared with group systems, where dynamic social groups were employed. However, tethered sows may have reduced litter size and increased piglet birth weight. Sows in group housing systems, particularly electronic sow feeder (ESF) systems, had injury scores greater than sows in either stalls or tethers. Gestation housing system (individual vs group) may impact sow welfare in the farrowing area (using stalls or pens). In conclusion, although individual studies found significant housing system effects, subjected to the overall evidence from adequately designed studies meta-analyses revealed that gestation stalls (non-tethered) or well-managed pens generally (but not in all cases) produced similar states of welfare for pregnant gilts or sows in terms of physiology, behavior, performance, and health.     

Evaluation of drop versus trickle-feeding systems for crated or group-penned gestating sows

A total of 160 gilts were used to evaluate the effects of pen vs. crated housing systems and drop- vs. trickle-fed feeding systems on sow productivity, occurrence of lesions during farrowing and weaning, immune measures, and behavioral responses during 2 consecutive gestation periods. Of the 160 eligible gilts, 117 farrowed in parity 1, and of those, 72 farrowed in parity 2. The gilts were randomly assigned to represent 1 of 4 factorially arranged treatment groups: pen drop-fed, crate drop-fed, pen trickle-fed, or crate trickle-fed. Replicate blocks were used for each parity with 5 sows per block initially in each treatment. At weaning, sows housed in pens had greater (P < 0.05) backfat thickness than sows housed in crates. The piglet weaning weight was greater (P < 0.05) for sows fed with the single drop compared with the trickle-feeding system. Lesions scores and all other productivity measures did not differ among treatments. An interaction was observed for percentage of neutrophil phagocytosis (P < 0.05) between penning and feeding systems. In pens, drop-fed sows had greater phagocytosis than trickle-fed sows, but in crates, drop-fed sows had a tendency for lower phagocytosis than trickle-fed sows. All other immune measures were not different among treatments. The occurrence of oral-nasal-facial (ONF) behaviors (chewing, rooting, and rubbing) and active behaviors increased, and lying behavior decreased (P < 0.05), from 0800 to 1200 for all sows. During the 0800 to 1200 period, crate drop-fed sows displayed more (P < 0.05) ONF and active behaviors than did sows in the 3 other treatments. Sows housed in groups of 5 had a greater (P < 0.05) duration of standing in the 0400 to 0800 period compared with crated sows. Housing systems had complex effects on sow behavioral sequences, but penned sows had more sequences associated with stress than did crated sows. Also, crate drop-fed gilts and sows expressed more ONF behaviors than gilts and sows in other treatments. Generally, productivity, skin lesions, and immune measures were not different, but behaviors at certain times of day and behavioral sequences were different for sows in pens and crates with drop or trickle-feeding systems. None of the environments evaluated were associated with significant physiological stress responses among the sows. Thus, sows were able to adapt within each environment through behavioral mechanisms without the need to invoke major physiological adjustments.     

猪的膳食纤维营养与应用概述

膳食纤维对不同生长阶段猪营养作用表现不同。日粮中添加膳食纤维有助于仔猪肠道发育并维持肠道健康和微生态平衡,减少仔猪断奶应激,缓解仔猪断奶腹泻。肥育猪日粮中添加膳食纤维,可增强后肠发酵,减少粪氮的排放量,降低环境污染,也可节约常规原料。妊娠母猪日粮中添加膳食纤维可减少限饲应激和便秘的发生,并且能改善母猪的繁殖性能,促进哺乳仔猪生长。本文主要综述了膳食纤维的定义、理化性质、分析体系及其在猪营养上的应用,以期为实际生产提供一定的指导意义。     

牛磺酸在母猪生产中的应用及其作用机理

牛磺酸作为一种重要的条件性必需氨基酸,对母猪和仔猪营养起着至关重要的作用,但通过内源合成和传统饲粮供给并不能满足母猪适宜营养需要。近期研究发现,母猪妊娠和泌乳饲粮中添加适量牛磺酸对母猪乳腺发育、抗氧化能力以及仔猪生长性能、免疫功能有积极的调控作用。本文综述了近年来牛磺酸在母猪生产中的应用效果及作用机制,以期引起畜牧生产者对牛磺酸的关注,为牛磺酸在母猪生产中的正确应用提供参考。     

Effects of a novel carbohydrate and protein source on sow performance during lactation

Ninety-one primiparous and multiparous sows and their pigs were used to evaluate the effects of a novel carbohydrate- and protein-based feed ingredient (Nutri-Pal, NP) on sow and litter performance during lactation. Nutri-Pal is a feed supplement for sows that consists of a blend of milk chocolate, brewer's yeast, whey products, and glucooligosaccharides. The dietary treatments consisted of a corn-soybean meal control and a corn-soybean meal plus 5% NP fed from d 110 of gestation to weaning. The diets were formulated to be equal in total Lys and ME. Sows were allotted to treatment based on parity, body weight, and the date of d 110 of gestation. There were 46 and 45 sows per treatment over four farrowing groups. Litters were standardized to 10 pigs and weighed within 1 d of farrowing, and all sows weaned at least 8 pigs at an average age of 21 d. Sows were weighed on d 110 of gestation, d 1 postfarrowing, and at weaning. Sows were fed three times daily during lactation. Sows were checked twice daily after weaning for signs of estrus. The weaning weight of sows fed NP was increased (P < 0.10) compared with those fed the control diet. Sows fed the control diet tended (P = 0.11) to lose more weight per day from d 110 of gestation to weaning than the sows fed NP. Otherwise, sow response variables (sow weight on d 110 of gestation and d 1 postfarrowing, d 110 of gestation to d 1 postfarrowing and lactation weight change per day, d 110 of gestation to d 1 postfarrowing, lactation, and total feed intake, days to estrus, pigs born alive or dead, and litter and average pig birth weight) were not affected (P > 0.10) by diet. There were no effects (P > 0.10) of diet on litter performance response variables (pigs weaned, litter and average pig weaning weight and gain, and survival percent). The NP feed ingredient had minor effects on sow productivity, but it did not affect litter productivity indices.     

The physical size of gestating sows

Two hundred ninety-six gestating sows were used to determine the physical dimensions of sows in commercial settings. Sows were examined from five farms within a single production model that included identical feed formulation, management practices, herd health, and similar, but not identical, genotypes. Sows were individually weighed, backfat thickness was determined by ultrasound, and body dimensions were determined. Sow body length, height, width (lateral length, left to right from mid-line), and depth (measured as distance from ventral to dorsal extremes) were also determined. Regression procedures were used to model the changes in sow body size in relation to parity, BW, and stage of gestation within and among genotypes. Farm-to-farm variation in sow dimensions for the same genotype was also determined. Least squares means, SD, and 95% upper confidence limits of this sample are presented. Sows increased (P < 0.001) in body dimensions by predicable levels with parity (r2 = 0.92) up to Parity 6, and with advancing pregnancy (r2 = 0.99). Sows of different but related genotypes differed (P < 0.01) in body length, width, height, and depth. Sows of the same genotype, fed the same feed formulation, differed in body dimensions when managed on different farms. Based on mean values and a 95% confidence interval, stall width would need to be at least 72.4 cm to accommodate all sows on the farm. These data and models can be used to design stall sizes and farm floor space needs to meet current animal welfare recommendations. To accommodate the body size of pregnant sows on commercial farms, stall sizes for the majority of sows would need to increase, as would the total floor space needed for a given number of gestating sows individually penned in conventional production systems to meet recently published guidelines.     

母猪妊娠后期日粮能量、蛋白质及氨基酸水平对乳腺发育及胎猪生长的影响

母猪妊娠后期是母猪乳腺及胎猪快速发育的重要时期,为处于这一时期的母猪配制营养水平适宜的日粮对提高母猪繁殖效率尤为重要。妊娠后期母猪乳腺发育及胎猪的生长对能量、蛋白质及氨基酸的需求不同,如何给妊娠母猪提供合理的营养,在满足胎猪生长发育的同时满足乳腺发育的需要研究还比较少。作者主要介绍了母猪妊娠后期日粮中的能量、蛋白质及氨基酸水平对乳腺发育及胎猪生长的影响,同时提出母猪妊娠后期能量、蛋白质及氨基酸的需要量及合理比例,以期为养猪生产者提供参考。     

Effects of Energy,Protein and Amino Acids Levels on the Development of Mammary Gland and the Growth of Fetus in Sows at Late Gestation

Late gestation is an important period for rapid development of the sow's mammary gland and fetus. It is becoming more and more important to provide a suitable nutrient level in late gestation period for improve the reproductive efficiency of sow. Demand of energy, protein and amino acids for mammary gland and fetus in sows at late gestation are different. To provide reasonable nutrition for fetus, at the same time for the needs of mammary gland are still seldom reported. In this paper, the effects of dietary energy, protein and amino acids levels on the development of mammary gland and the growth of fetus were reviewed,the authors propose the requirement of energy, protein amino acid and reasonable proportion in sows at late gestation, in order to give some guidance for pig farmers.     

Management program for improving sow and gilt performance by feeding dichlorvos

Treated sows were on a special management program which consisted of feeding 1,000 mg of dichlorvos to the sow each day for the last 30 days of gestation. The dichlorvos was delivered as a slow-release formulation. The late gestation treatment signigicantly (P less than 0.01) improved the productivity of the sows by improving the performance of their litters. The litters from treated sows were superior in 4 ways: (1) increased number of pigs born alive per litter (2.3%); (2) increased pig birth weights (9.6%); (3) improved survival of pigs born alive; and (4) improved growth rate to market weight. The litters from treated sows were 11.6%, 16.5%, and 12.4% heavier than control litters at birth, weaning (35 days), and market (160 days), respectively.     

日粮纤维营养在母猪生产中的应用

纤维被称为第七大营养素,对调节机体营养物质吸收、提高机体免疫能力、改善繁殖能力等方面具有重要作用。纤维在母猪生产中的研究相对较多,但不同来源和水平的日粮纤维对母猪的各个阶段影响及作用机理存在一定的差异。文章就日粮纤维的化学组分和来源、在妊娠母猪、泌乳母猪、后备母猪生产中的研究进展进行综述,以期为日粮纤维在母猪生产中的应用提供一定的理论依据。     

Investigation on the Production Performance of gE Antibody Positive Sows in Pig Farms Infected with Wild Type Pseudorabies Virus

Pseudorabies (PR) is caused by the Pseudorabies virus (PRV). It is an acute and hot highly contagious disease infecting livestock and a wide range of wild animals. In order to investigate the relationship between latent infection of Pseudorabies virus and sow production performance,this study collected production parameters of first-parity sows with wild virus gE positive and negtive in a Pseudorabies positive stable intensive farm, including total litter size, healthy litter size, weak litter size, stillbirths, mummified fetus, litter weight, number of weaning live, number of weaning qualified and weaning weight. And compared the production performance of PRV gE antibody negative and positive sows in the same intensive pig farm. The study showed that each PRV gE antibody negative sow could produce 11.96 live piglets per parity. Additionally, PRV gE antibody negative sow could provide more alive, weaning and weaning qualified piglets per parity than infection sows, which were 0.63, 0.18 and 0.28, respectively. Although the average birth weight and average weaning weight of piglets produced by PRV gE antibody positive sows were higher than those produced by negative sows, the weaning qualified rate of antibody negative sows was higher than that of antibody positive sows, indicating that the weaning live piglets produced by antibody negative sows had higher uniformity. In summary, the production performance of PRV gE antibody positive sows was lower than that of the negative sows. Eradication of PR can bring higher profit to the pig farm. Pig farm should actively eradicate the PR.     

伪狂犬病病毒野毒感染猪场的gE抗体阳性头胎母猪生产成绩调查

伪狂犬病（Pseudorabies，PR）是由伪狂犬病病毒（Pseudorabies virus，PRV）感染多种野生动物及家畜引起的急性、热性的高度接触性传染病。为掌握PRV隐性感染对头胎母猪生产成绩的影响，本研究跟踪调查某一PRV野毒阳性稳定万头母猪场中野毒gE抗体阴性和阳性的头胎母猪总产仔数、健仔数、弱仔数、死胎数、木乃伊胎数、仔猪初生窝重以及断奶活仔数、断奶合格仔数、仔猪断奶重等不同生产成绩指标，探索相同饲养条件下伪狂犬病对头胎母猪各生产指标的影响。结果发现，每头PRV野毒gE抗体阴性头胎母猪每窝平均可产11.96头活仔猪，比gE抗体阳性母猪每胎次多产活仔0.63头，以及每胎次可多提供0.18头断奶活仔，每胎次多提供0.28头断奶合格仔。虽然PRV野毒gE抗体阳性母猪所产仔猪初生均重及断奶均重均高于gE抗体阴性母猪所产仔猪，但gE抗体阴性母猪所产仔猪断奶合格率高于gE抗体阳性母猪，表明其断奶活仔整齐度更高。综上，PRV野毒gE抗体阳性的头胎母猪生产成绩低于gE抗体阴性母猪，伪狂犬病的净化可为猪场带来更高的经济效益，表明伪狂犬病的净化至关重要。     

Well-being in Pregnant Sows: Confinement versus Group Housing with Electronic Sow Feeding

Abstract

Indicators of stress, behaviour in the pen, and lesions of the integument were used as indicators of sow well-being in a comparison of group housing with electronic sow feeding [GH] and confinement in gestation crates [C] in experiment 1, which included 2 × 4 groups of 20–25 sows. Effects of earlier experience with a gestation system on the indicators of stress was investigated in experiment 2, which included 2 × 3 groups of 20–25 sows. Reaction in a novelty test and reactivity in plasma Cortisol to the procedure of blood sampling were used as indicators of stress. Behaviour in the pen as well as lesions of the integument revealed that both gestation systems were suboptimal in some manner. However, following acclimatization for 1–2 weeks, young GH sows experienced less stress than young C sows as measured by reduced fear in the novelty test. In experiment 2 this interpretation was further supported by lower reactivity in plasma Cortisol. It was concluded that sow well-being was higher for the majority of the gestation period in young group-housed animals. Thus, in spite of the inadequate feeding method, well-being of sows may be improved in group housing systems with electronic sow feeding if the system is well functioning with low levels of aggression and vulva bites. One of the major determinants of vulva biting is suggested to be the mechanism of gate control.     

A review of factors influencing litter size in Irish sows

Many factors influence litter size. These include genetics, gilt management, lactation length, parity distribution, disease, stress and boar fertility. In the past 20 years, litter size in Irish sows has increased by only one pig. Born alive figures now average at 11.2 pigs per litter. In this regard, Ireland is falling behind our European competitors who have made significant advances over this time. Denmark, for example, has an average figure of 12.7 pigs born alive per litter and France an average of 12.5. The single area that could be improved immediately is sow feeding. It is important that sows are fed correctly throughout pregnancy. If over-fed during pregnancy, sows will have depressed appetite during lactation. If underfed in pregnancy, sows will be too thin at farrowing. The correct way to feed a pregnant sow is to match her feed allocation to her requirement for maintenance, body growth and growth of her developing foetuses. During lactation, sows should be given as much feed as they can eat to prevent excessive loss of body condition. Liquid-feed curves should be such that lactating sows are provided with a minimum mean daily feed supply of 6.2 kg. A small proportion of sows will eat more and this could be given as supplementary dry feed. Where dry feeding is practised in the farrowing house, it is difficult to hand-feed sows to match their appetite. Ideally ad libitum wet/dry feeders should be used. From weaning to service, sows should once again be fed ad libitum. If liquid feeding, this means giving at least 60 MJ DE (digestible energy) per day during this period. If dry feeding, at least 4 kg of lactation diet should be fed daily. The effort spent perfecting sow feeding management on units should yield high dividends in the form of increased pigs born alive per litter.