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.