Unit 9 - Management and Nutrition of the Lactating Sow Flashcards
Name and describe the two phases of lactation?
- Transition phase/ early lactation: focus on the farrowing process and startup of milk production
- Remainder of lactation: focus on milk production
Name the two-part program during lactation
Part 1
1. The farrowing process
2. The Transition diet
3. Colostrum and milk synthesis
4. Managing the piglet after farrowing
Part 2
1. Milk production
2. Feed intake during lactation
3. Feed program
What is the average gestation period?
115 days
Name the advantages of transition feed from gestation to lactation
- Better start-up of milk production
- Less constipation
- Lower stillborn piglets
What does MMA stand for?
Mastitis, metritis and agalactia
What is the effect of constipation / dry, hard manure in sows just before farrowing?
- Prolapse
- Still-born
- MMA
What can be done to prevent constipation?
- Feed higher fiber diet during late pregnancy
- Maximise water intake
- Prevent heat/cold stress
What does dEB stand for?
Electrolyte Balance: the difference between positive and negative ions in feed
What physiological role does dEB play?
- Acid/base balance
- Bone metabolism
Name the cations and anions of dEB
- Cations: Na, K, Ca
- Anions: Cl, P, Sulphate
What happens in the case of high amount of Cl- in a low electrolite balance ?
There will be an increases resorption of bone matrix and therefore increase Ca+ concentration in the blood
Undesirable in nursery and growing pigs
Desirable in sows at farrowing
Define colostrum
it is the first 24h secretion of the mammary glands which is largely synthesized before parturition
What is the protein difference between colostrum and milk?
colostrum: 15%
milk: 6%
What is the importance of colostrum?
- provide lgG for Immunity
- Provides lgA that protects the intestinal mucosa from pathogens – preventing neonatal diarrhea.
- Provide vital nutrients like fats and protein
- Contain growth hormones to stimulate growth and aid in the development of the GIT
- Contains immune cells and Immunomodulatory factors which helps with the maturation of piglets own immune system
- Contains digestive enzymes
What is the effect of a piglet consuming more that 200g or less that 100g colostrum?
> 200g: The piglet survival is higher than 90%
<100g: The survival drops to less than 40%
What is the immunoglobulin absorption capability from colostrum 12h after birth?
25%
How many grams of colostrum does a piglet need to consume?
200 to 400 grams
What influences colostrum quality?
- Health status of the farm
- MMA syndrome
- Premature farrowing
Can we use cow colostrum for piglets?
- Use this only as a source of energy after the piglet has taken in colostrum from the sow.
- Cow colostrum protects the intestines just as sow colostrum but does not provide the right immunity.
- If given too soon after farrowing, cow colostrum may prevent absorption of the sow’s colostrum and jeopardize the piglet’s life
What is the survival rate of a piglet with a weight less than 0.8-1.0kg
Less than a 50% chance of surviving through the first 48 hours without intensive care
What is the management procedure on piglets after farrowing?
- Rub dry directly after birth (for warmth and increase blood circulation)
- Make sure after farrowing all piglets have immediate
access to teats – energy and immunoglobulins - Place piglets near heat source as soon as possible after birth
- Teeth clipping within 24h if piglets damage teats severely
- Single intramuscular injection of 150-200
mg iron dextran at 3-5 days old - Castration at 3-7 days of age
- Tail docking at 7 days of age - remove last third of tail to prevent tail biting.
- Ear tattooing for identification within first 7 days after birth
Define Fostering
- With large litters (more piglets than functional teats) or low milk production, it is necessary to take some or all piglets away from sow
- Should be carried out within 24 hours after birth before pecking order has been determined
- Always transfer piglets to sow that has farrowed at the
same time or later (always forward, not backwards) - Weaker piglets usually better off on their own dam, so
generally better to foster stronger piglets - Never foster piglets with scouring – can carry diseases
over to another litter
Name the various fostering techniques
- Straight fostering
- Cross fostering
- Shift suckling
- Back fostering
Define Straight fostering
Evening the numbers suckled between sows
Define Cross fostering
Giving heavier litters to mothers known for higher milk production
Define Shift suckling
Used in smaller herds where we divide a large litter in two; put one half in crèche, switch every two hours
Define Back fostering
Small piglets fostered on to a more recently farrowed sow
Describe a rescue deck
- Remove additional piglets from very large litters one to three days of age until weaning
- Place in heated ‘box’
- Feed milk replacers provided through a pump-system from storage bin to a cup with a nipple
Name the 4 phases of milk production
- Colostral
- Ascending
- Plateau
- Descending
How long does it take to refill the mammary gland after suckling?
35 min
What factors influences milk production?
- Litter size
- Piglet size
- Suckling intensity
- Environment
- Parity
- Nutrition
- Body condition
- Genotype
- Amount of body reserves
- Nutrient intake during lactation
How much milk does the modern sow produce ?
10 liters milk per day for 21 days
How much milk does a piglet require per kg BW gain?
4 liters of milk/kg BW gain
What are the factors affecting feed intake?
- Stage of lactation and milk production
- Number of daily feedings
- Dietary effects
- Ambient temperature and heat stress
- Genetic selection for feed intake and breed effects
- Effect of parity
- Body condition start lactation
- Feeding management and hygiene
What is the frequency of feeding sows?
3-4 times
What is the intake effect of wet feeding?
Increases intakes by 10-15%
What should the water flow be for the sows?
Should not be less than 1 L/min
How much light should a lactating sow get per day?
16 hours
What is the % fat of a piglet and a weaner?
Piglet: 1%
Weaner: 20%
Excessive loss of body reserves during lactation leads to:
- Extended weaning to re-mating interval
- Poor performance on next litter
- Premature culling (high culling rate) – low lifetime productivity per sow
What is the daily feed intakes of lactating sows under ad libitum conditions?
3-12kg daily
What is the comfort temp for a lactating sow?
15°C
