The transition period of sows, a week before and after farrowing, has unique nutritional requirements for fetal growth, mammary development, and milk production. During this period, a sow’s energy requirements can increase by over 200%, while lysine (amino acid) requirements can increase by over 300%.
The traditional method of feeding strictly a gestation diet until sows are moved to the farrowing room may not meet the energy and amino acid requirements for this critical stage. If these requirements aren’t satisfied, a sow will use maternal tissue stores to meet the increased lysine and energy demand. Using these energy stores can negatively affect the sow’s ability to support fetal growth, milk production, and subsequent reproduction.
This is exactly why N. Gregory and colleagues in the Huber lab at the University of Guelph investigated an alternative nutrition plan during this critical transition period.
The purpose of this study was to investigate if providing a blend of gestation and lactation diets, to better meet estimated daily lysine and energy requirements during the transition period, would have any effect on the mobilization of maternal energy stores, lactation performance, and subsequent litter performance.