Does nursing behaviour of sows in loose-housing differ from that of sows in farrowing crates?
Shorter nursing duration and more nursing terminations by the sow were observed in loose housing than in farrowing crates.
Page 2 of articles about lactation
Impact of birth weight and daily weight gain during suckling on the weight gain of weaning piglets
Piglets with 1.25 to 2.30kg BW and low weight gain during suckling presented a partial compensatory growth during the nursery phase.
Weaning without zinc oxide (1/3): Good weaning starts in the farrowing room
We spoke with Alberto Garcia (Inga Food SA, Spain) and Chretien Gielen (De Varkenspraktijk, The Netherlands), to discuss aspects related to weaning management and conditions.
The new challenge of crate-free housing in farrowing
Europe is preparing to eliminate farrowing crates in the next few years... Are farmers ready? Will this benefit the sows? What about the piglets?
Fish oil in sow diets as a strategy to modify immune components in colostrum and milk
The n-3 fatty acids supplementation in gestation and lactation diets may affect colostrum and milk composition and the immune response.
Milk supplementation in the farrowing room: an alternative strategy with hyperprolific sows?
A much higher percentage of piglets prefer milk supplement over creep feed. Here are the results of the latest studies on this subject.
Reducing the stress of weaning: is pre-weaning socialisation of piglets a strategy to consider?
Does co-mingling during lactation benefit piglets in the long term? See how socialisation influences pigs behaviour and physiology.
Anestrus in gilts
Lack of estrus in gilts is a common cause for culling, which increases the need for gilts and the cost of gilts. Let's take a look a what causes anestrus:
Practical fostering: a key step in maximizing the quantity and quality of pigs weaned
Put more piglets on than teats? When to start fostering? Am I cross fostering piglets too many times?
Improving sow feeding behaviour using feed flavour
How can we boost sow feed intake during lactation under heat stress conditions?
Feeding behaviour and daily feed intake of sows during lactation under heat stress conditions
Sow feed intake pattern changes throughout the day depending on the season.
The importance of water consumption for sows in lactation
During lactation ensuring the sow consumes enough water is essential, as well as maintaining the water:feed ratio needed to lessen weight loss in the sow and allow a greater daily gain in the piglets.
Effect of suckling intensity of primiparous sows on production performance during current and subsequent parities
Increased suckling intensity increased litter weight gain but reduced piglet ADG. Following lactations were not negatively affected by increased suckling intensity of the first lactation. Loss of sow body reserves was reduced for the second lactation.
Feeding lactating sows: a farmer's experience achieving 39 weaned pigs per sow
How, when and why should feed be increased? what needs to be considered when drawing feed curves? first hand farmer experience from Can Ballau, answers these and other questions
Gradual weaning during an extended lactation period improves performance and behavior of pigs
Gradually weaned pigs performed better around transitions than abruptly weaned pigs and gradual weaning resulted in beneficial long-term effects on behavior.
Nurse sow strategies: Consequences for piglets
Nurse sow strategies do not appear to compromise piglet growth. However, new-born piglets transferred onto sows in late lactation experienced more competition at the udder.