Bump Feeding Improves Sow Reproductive Performance, Milk Yield, Piglet Birth Weight, and Farrowing Behavior

Simple Summary Genetic advancements have increased litter size, resulting in lower birth weights due to intrauterine nutrient competition. Low-birthweight piglets have higher mortality rates and face growth and reproductive challenges. Birth weight and litter size uniformity are crucial factors in commercial swine production, as they affect postnatal growth and piglet survival. Prolonged farrowing duration, associated with large litter size, contributes to stillborn piglets. A recent study developed a feeding technology in the late gestation period in sows to improve reproductive performance, farrowing behavior, and piglets' growth performance during the lactation period. The findings of this study provide valuable information for optimizing sow nutrition and improving swine production efficiency.Abstract The late gestation period is crucial for fetal growth and development, impacting swine enterprises' profitability. Various nutritional strategies have been explored to enhance reproductive performance in sows, but findings regarding birth weight and litter size have been inconsistent. This study investigated the effects of increased feeding allowance during the late gestation period on the reproductive performance and farrowing behavior of primiparous and multiparous sows. A total of 28 sows (Landrace x Yorkshire) were used in this experiment, and fed 2.50 kg/d or 3.50 kg/d from 84 days of gestation until farrowing. Farrowing behavior was monitored using a DeepEyesTM M3SEN camera. The data were analyzed using the 2 x 2 factorial within Statistical Analysis System (SAS, 2011, Version 9.3) software. The results indicated that regardless of the parity number, sows fed a high diet exhibited a numerical increase in the total number of born piglets and a significant increase in milk yield (p = 0.014) and piglet birthweight (p = 0.023). Backfat thickness loss was significantly higher in sows with a 2.50 kg feeding allowance (p = 0.022), and the total number of piglets born, live births, and litter size were numerically higher in sows fed 3.50 kg per day. Moreover, stillborn piglets, mortality rate, and re-estrus days were numerically lower in sows with a high feeding allowance. The diet and parity did not individually affect the average duration of farrowing and farrowing intervals. However, the duration of postural changes in sows after farrowing was significantly reduced (p = 0.012). The principal component analysis revealed 81.40% and 80.70% differences upon partial least-squares discriminant analysis. Therefore, increasing feeding allowance during the late gestation period, regardless of parity, could positively influence sows' reproductive performance and piglets' growth performance during the lactation phase.

Automated summary

This study investigated the effects of increased feeding allowance during the late gestation period on the reproductive performance and farrowing behavior of primiparous and multiparous sows. The results showed that high feeding allowance significantly increased the total number of born piglets, milk yield, and piglet birthweight. Sows with a low feeding allowance had a higher backfat thickness loss. Stillborn piglets, mortality rate, and re-estrus days were lower in sows with a high feeding allowance. Increasing feeding allowance during the late gestation period positively influenced sows' reproductive performance and piglets' growth performance during the lactation phase.