Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
were fed low fat and either high or low fiber until 7 d before expected parturition, and
were then fed lactation diets throughout the transition period and lactation. Feeding the
high fiber diet prior to d -7 lowered the fermentation considerably, as indicated by the
plasma contents of fatty acids, and in turn it impaired the piglet performance during
the colostral period (Hansen
et al.
, 2012a). In another recent study, it was reported that
the colostrum yield of sows was correlated positively with plasma urea (Loisel
et al.
,
2014), and since urea is produced in the liver, this observation suggests that the hepatic
metabolism and the oxidation pattern (i.e. oxidation of protein, carbohydrate and fat)
affect the productivity of sows during the transition period.
7.2.13
Body condition and body mobilization
Body condition is another important aspect for transition sows. When sows enter the
farrowing units their body condition should neither be too high nor too low. If sows are
too fat, they will likely experience problems during the farrowing process (Oliviero
et al.
,
2010) and, in addition, the neonatal mortality of piglets from obese sows may be greater
(Hansen
et al.
, 2012a). However, a high body condition is favorable for milk persistency,
i.e. milk yield at peak lactation (Hansen
et al.
, 2012a). On the contrary, a sow that is too
thin is also unwanted because of the likelyhood of shoulder lesions and of a prolonged
post-weaning oestrus interval (King and Williams, 1984).
Mobilization of body fat and protein reserves during late gestation were shown to be
positively associated with sow colostrum yield (Decaluwé
et al.
, 2014). In support of that,
Loisel
et al.
(2013) found that colostrum yield was positively related with plasma urea at
parturition (which is indicative of protein oxidation). In addition, Hansen
et al.
(2012a)
reported that a negative energy balance during the last days before parturition was
beneficial for milk yield on d 7 to d 10 of lactation. This corroborates previous findings
where
ad libitum
feeding of sows prior to parturition was detrimental to subsequent milk
yield (Danielsen, 2003), however, the underlying mechanisms are not yet understood.
7.3
Feeding practice of modern hyperprolific sows during
the transition period
7.3.1
Dietary shift during transition - when?
Sows are typically fed a gestation diet followed by a lactation diet and the dietary shift
generally coincides with physical movement of sows from the gestation stalls to the
farrowing units. However, the time for shifting the diets differs greatly between farms
(Figure 7.2). Some farms shift the diet approximately one week prior to parturition, which
makes sense biologically because fetal and mammary growth and colostrum synthesis
require substantial amounts of protein and lysine. Other farms have the same intention
but due to insufficient space in the farrowing units the physical movement is delayed
until a few days before parturition. These farms may experience increased prevalence of
postpartum dysgalactia syndrome, although it is not known whether this is associated
with altered feeding, stress due to physical movement of sows too close to parturition or
