0
After three cycles, E sows showed a positive BF balance in contrast to C sows (E = 1.46 mm and C= -1.81 mm, P < 0.05). In cycle 3, E sows presented greater piglet birth weights than C sows, being mainly evident in sows that were nulliparous at the onset of the experiment (P < 0.05). Extra-fed sows showed a greater incidence of mastitis-metritis-agalactia syndrome than C sows (P = 0.003). Thus, increasing feeding allowance during mid-pregnancy positively affected BF balance and birth weight in nulliparous, but impaired the sows’ ability to produce milk in the long-term.
A. Cerisuelo, R. Sala, J. Gasa, D. Carrión, J. Coma, N. Chapinal, and Maria D. Baucells. Effects of extra feeding in mid-pregnancy for three successive parities on lean sows’ productive performance and longevity. Canadian Journal of Animal Science. 2010. Vol. 90 (4): 521-528.
