What feeding practices are suggested for adult female pigs?

Feeding Practices for Adult Female Pigs: A Lifecycle Approach

Adult female pigs require a carefully managed diet to support their reproductive capacity, overall health, and longevity. Feeding practices differ significantly based on the stage of their life cycle.

1. Non-Pregnant (Maintenance) Sows

These sows are not actively reproducing and require a diet focused on maintaining body condition and health. The primary goal is to prevent excessive weight gain or loss.

• Nutritional Requirements: Generally, non-pregnant sows require around 2.5-3% of their body weight in feed daily. The diet should consist of approximately 12-14% crude protein, 3-5% fat, and a balanced mineral and vitamin profile.
• Feed Composition: Common ingredients include corn, soybean meal, wheat, barley, and mineral/vitamin premixes.
• Management: Regular monitoring of body condition score (BCS) is crucial. A BCS of 3-4 (on a 1-5 scale, with 1 being emaciated and 5 being obese) is ideal. Adjust feed intake accordingly.

2. Pregnant Sows

Feeding pregnant sows requires careful manipulation of nutrient intake to support fetal development and sow body condition. The approach differs based on the stage of gestation.

• First Trimester (Days 1-30): Feed intake should be restricted to prevent excessive weight gain. A diet with 11-12% crude protein and moderate energy density is recommended.
• Second Trimester (Days 31-60): Feed intake can be gradually increased to support fetal growth. The diet should remain balanced.
• Third Trimester (Days 61-114): Feed intake should be carefully managed to avoid dystocia (difficult birth) and farrowing complications. Sows should be fed to achieve a good body condition but not obesity. A specialized pre-farrowing diet may be provided, often with lower fiber content to empty the digestive tract.

3. Lactating Sows

Lactation is the most demanding phase, requiring significantly higher nutrient intake to support milk production and maintain sow health.

• Nutritional Requirements: Lactating sows require approximately 3-4% of their body weight in feed daily. The diet should be high in protein (14-16%) and energy (3.2-3.6 Mcal/kg).
• Feed Composition: The diet should include high-quality protein sources, digestible carbohydrates, and essential vitamins and minerals.
• Management: Ad libitum feeding is often practiced during the first few weeks of lactation to maximize milk production. Water availability is crucial. Post-weaning, feed intake is gradually reduced to help the sow regain body condition.

4. Specific Considerations & Management Strategies

Beyond the lifecycle stages, several factors impact feeding practices.

• Breed: Different breeds have varying nutritional needs. For example, leaner breeds may require slightly higher protein levels.
• Temperature: Cold weather increases energy requirements, necessitating increased feed intake.
• Feed Additives: Probiotics, prebiotics, and enzymes can improve feed digestibility and gut health.
• Water: Clean, fresh water must be available at all times. Water intake can increase by as much as 30% during lactation.
• Feed Quality: Consistent feed quality is vital. Moldy or contaminated feed can lead to mycotoxin poisoning.

Stage	Crude Protein (%)	Fat (%)	Energy (Mcal/kg)	Feed Intake (Body Weight %)
Non-Pregnant	12-14	3-5	2.8-3.2	2.5-3
Pregnant (First Trimester)	11-12	3-4	2.7-3.1	Restricted
Pregnant (Second & Third Trimesters)	12-14	3.5-4.5	2.9-3.3	Controlled
Lactating	14-16	3.2-3.6	3.2-3.6	3-4

Case Study: Optimizing Sow Performance through Precision Feeding

A commercial pig farm in Iowa implemented a precision feeding program using electronic sow feeding (ESF) systems. Each sow had an individual feeding station that recorded feed intake and body weight. The system automatically adjusted feed rations based on the sow’s performance and reproductive stage. As a result, the farm saw a 10% increase in litter size, a 5% improvement in weaning weight, and a reduction in feed waste by 8%.