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Dietary fiber in transition diets can support sow health and performance around farrowing by reducing constipation, stabilizing energy supply, and potentially enhancing colostrum antibody levels. These effects may improve farrowing outcomes and early-life piglet health, while also influencing gut microbiota and overall lactation performance.
Objective: The present study evaluated a complementary fibrous supplement from late gestation to early postpartum to address these challenges.
Methods: From day 90 of gestation until farrowing, sows received either a standard gestation diet (CON group, n = 101 sows) or the same diet plus 400 g of a fibrous supplement (40% wheat bran, 25% lignocellulose, 25% citrus pulp, 10% guar gum) (FIB group, n = 101 sows). After farrowing, all sows were fed a standard lactation diet, and FIB sows continued to receive 400 g of the supplement on top of the feed for five days.
Results: Sows fed the fibrous supplement showed less constipation before and on the day of farrowing. Farrowing duration was shorter in FIB sows compared to CON. Feed intake was higher in CON sows on days two and three after farrowing. Colostrum from FIB sows contained higher levels of IgG and IgA antibodies. The fecal microbiome of sows and their piglets was similar between the groups. However, piglets from FIB sows had a lower incidence of diarrhea during the first week of life.
Conclusion: The fibrous supplement helped peripartal sows by reducing constipation and farrowing duration and by increasing colostrum antibody levels. For piglets, the supplement did not significantly change the fecal microbiome but improved resistance to neonatal diarrhoea. Using a fibrous supplement in transition diets may simplify management in the farrowing room and support early-life robustness in piglets, potentially reducing medication needs and improving overall litter performance.
Muro BBD, Carnevale RF, Monteiro MS, Leal DF, Poor AP, Pereira FA, de Azevedo Ruiz VL, Garbossa CAP. Soluble and insoluble fiber blend improves farrowing performance and colostral immunoglobulin concentration in sows without altering fecal microbiota. The Veterinary Journal. 2026; 106574. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2026.106574