Unit 8 - Management and Nutrition of the Dry Sow

Question 1

How do we prevent fighting of pregnant sows when moved to group facilities?

Answer 1

• Group sows according to age, parity number and BW
• Make sure there are partition feeding space
• Do not add new sows into existing (established) groups

Question 2

Why is the first 3 weeks of pregnancy so sensitive?

Answer 2

1. This is the period of embryo implantation
2. Has a large effect on ultimate litter size

Question 3

Explain the feed supply between weaning and service

Answer 3

1. Feed sows ad lib, a special flush diet
2. If not possible to feed a special flush diet, feed the normal
   gestation diet, with added sugar on top (150g dextrose).

Question 4

What are the factors that affect the nutrient requirements of the pregnant sow?

Answer 4

1. Maintenance
2. Maternal growth
3. Foetal growth

Question 5

Why is feeding during pregnancy important?

Answer 5

• Establish the litter size
• Effects piglet birth weight
• Grow maternal lean tissue mass
• Grow mammary tissue
• Replenish maternal fatty tissue mass lost during the
  previous lactation

Question 6

Name the advantages of two gestation diets?

Answer 6

• Minimizing the overfeeding of nutrients to sows.
• Easier to manage and control the body condition of sows.
• Economic benefits by reducing sow feed cost/year

Question 7

What is the aim of mid-pregnancy nutrition?

Answer 7

• Achieve moderate growth (not excessive gain)
• Recover body reserves
• Allow for 30-35 kg net body gain for 1st and 2nd parity sows
• Plane of nutrition between 20-80 days of pregnancy may be
  important to muscle fibre number of piglets at birth
• Mid-pregnancy is a preparatory period for mammary tissue
  development

Question 8

Indicate the 3 phase days of gestation?

Answer 8

Phase 1: 0 - 49 days
Phase 2: 49 - 84 days
Phase 3: 84 - 110 days

Question 9

What is the 3 factors that demand a nutrient increase during phase 3 of gestation?

Answer 9

1. Fetuses
2. Placenta
3. Mammary gland

Question 10

With regard to P2 back fat - what is associated with reproductive inefficiencies?

Answer 10

P2 back fat depths of less than 12 mm

Question 11

How many days of gestation does it take to recover BW losses?

Answer 11

85 days of gestation

Question 12

What is the effect of over fat sows?

Answer 12

1. Harm mammary development - lower milk production
2. Prolonged farrowing process
3. Dystocia
4. Less vital piglets
5. Increased weight loss of piglets
6. Fat sows are more clumsy and likely to crush piglets
7. Higher mortality rate of piglets

Question 13

What is the average piglet birth weight?

Answer 13

1.2–1.4kg

Question 14

What is the feed: gain ratio for a piglet?

Answer 14

45:1

Question 15

What is the 2 factors that influence birth weight?

Answer 15

1. Genetics/Breeding
2. Sow feeding and management

Question 16

What can be done to avoid low birth weight ?

Answer 16

1. Increase feed intake between Wean and Insemination
2. Increase glucose/starch level (late gestation)
3. Increase amino acids (late gestation)

Question 17

What is the effect of restricted feeding of sows at any time during pregnancy?

Answer 17

1. Compromise placenta development
2. Reduce the flow of nutrients to the foetus
3. Result in piglets at birth with less than their potential number of muscle fibers.

Question 18

What are the determinant factors that affect piglet birth weight and growth?

Answer 18

1. Litter size
2. Cycles per year
3. Feed intake during the insemination phase
4. Gestation phase feed intake
5. Higher digestible lysine intake during gestation phase
6. Higher crude fat intake by sow during lactation phase

Question 19

What are the trends that give increased birthweight?

Answer 19

1. Quarantine gilts
2. Group housing

Question 20

What is the trend that give decreased birthweight?

Answer 20

Use of Prostaglandins