25/09/2025
TIPS ON FEEDING SOWS DURING GESTATION
The feed requirements of the sow during gestation is divided into three phases:
1. Early gestation - 1 to 28 days
2. Middle gestation - 29 to 84 days
3. Late gestation - 85 to 115 days,
a. Early Gestation
- Feed intake must be restricted in gilts inseminated at recommended weights (btn 130 - 150 kilograms). Between 2 to 2.5 kilograms of gestation meal should be given per gilt per day for the first 30 days after insemination.
- Excessive feed intake during this period reduces embryo survival and hence litter size.
- Sows fed well during lactation and wean with no serious damage to their body condition score should follow a similar path. Gestating Sows fed to recover condition shouldn't exceed 3 kilograms of gestation meal per day.
b. Middle gestation
- There is a slight increase in energy requirements at this stage and therefore gradual increase of feed provided must start. The objective is to keep sows in right shape (3 to 3.5 body condition score on the Power of 5) - Not too fat and not thin. This reduce farrowing complications.
c. Late gestation
In late pregnancy, when most of the foetal and mammary growth and development occurs, there is a significant increase in the nutritional needs of the sow. At this stage, feeds should be increased to between 3 to 3.5 kilograms per sow per day. However, you must ensure that increased feed intake doesn't result into excessive fattening of the sow.
During lactation, feeding should not be restricted. On average, a lactating sow consumes about 5 kilograms of lactation sow meal per day. At least 0.25 kilograms should be added for each piglet produced. Forexample a sow with a litter of piglets; 10Γ0.25 = 2.5. The 2.5 kilograms is added on the 3 kilograms of feed a sow has been recieving daily to make 5.5 kilograms.
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