Journal of Applied Animal Research

  • Year: 2009
  • Volume: 36
  • Issue: 2

Effect of High-Energy Diets on the Performance of Lactating Sows in Tropical Climate

  • Author:
  • Juan J. Morales1, Rubén Loeza1,2, Álvaro A. Ángeles2, Felipe Montiel1,
  • Total Page Count: 4
  • DOI:
  • Page Number: 175 to 178

1Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Circunvalación S/N Esquina Yañez, C.P. 91710, Veracruz, Ver., México.

2Campo Experimental “La Posta”, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Forestal, Agrícola y Pecuaria, Carretera Federal Veracruz-Córdoba, Paso del Toro, Ver., México.

Abstract

To study the effect of high-energy diets on performance of lactating sows in a tropical climate, 78 multiparous PIC sows on d 100 of gestation were divided into 4 groups (20x3, 18x1). From d 7 before parturition (d-7) until d 21 of lactation (weaning), sows were fed ad libitum diets containing 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 or 3.5 Mcal ME/kg. At farrowing, BW was not different among diets (P>0.05), but at weaning it was lower for the control diet (P<0.05). BFT and BCS at farrowing and weaning and overall feed, energy and protein intake were lower for control group (P<0.05). Litter weight at birth was higher for the 3.5 Mcal ME/kg diet (P<0.05), and at weaning it was lower for the control diet (P<0.05). Weaning-first service interval was longer in control group (P<0.05). In conclusion, increasing the dietary energy content by adding fat improved the overall performance of lactating sows in a tropical climate and prevented them from decreasing their voluntary feed intake.

Keywords

Dietary energy, dietary fat, feed intake, lactation, sows