How to raise pregnant sows at different stages? Detailed feeding methods

According to the patterns of embryonic growth and development, and the sow's needs for mammary gland development and nutrient reserves, gestation can be divided into three stages: early gestation, mid gestation and late gestation.

I. Early gestation (from mating to day 28 after mating)

At this stage, the goal of feeding sows is to improve the success rate of embryo implantation and reduce embryo mortality. From day 9-13 after fertilization, the fertilized egg moves from the ampulla to the uterine horn, and then the embryo begins to implant. At this time the fertilized egg is attached to the uterine wall and the placenta has not yet formed, so it is susceptible to various factors and may die, ultimately leading to a reduction in litter size; this is the first peak of embryo mortality. At this stage, do not feed too much feed, to avoid the pig taking in excessively high energy, which leads to reduced progesterone secretion and thereby a reduction in the number of surviving embryos. Therefore, immediately after mating, switch the sow to gestation sow feed and control feed intake. Also, do not move or startle the sow, to prevent miscarriage. It is recommended to feed strictly restrictively within 7 days after mating, about 1.5 kg per head per day (feed very thin sows a little more, and litter size will increase), and to feed restrictively as appropriate from day 7-28 after mating, feeding according to the sow's body condition, 1.8-2.2 kg per sow per day.

II. Mid gestation (day 29-84 of gestation)

The goal at this stage is to ensure the needs of fetal development and the sow's own metabolic needs; it is also a period for adjusting the sow's body condition, at 2.2-2.7 kg per head per day. For sows that are on the thin side, the amount fed can be appropriately increased, but be careful not to overfeed, which would lead to a decrease in feed intake during lactation. Do not "feed for the fetus" too early; after day 75 of gestation is a key period for mammary gland development, and excessive energy intake increases fat deposition in the mammary gland and reduces the number of mammary secretory cells, leading to a decrease in milk production during lactation. For first-litter sows, it is recommended to feed only 1.8-2.5 kg of feed per day throughout gestation, to prevent the fetus from being too large and causing difficult farrowing.

III. Late gestation (day 84-112 of gestation)

At this stage, fetal growth and development are very rapid; 60-70% of the piglet's birth weight comes from the rapid growth in the last month before farrowing, and it is also a period of full mammary gland development. To meet the needs of rapid fetal growth and the sow's mammary gland development, the amount fed is 2.8-3.5 kg per head per day. In the week before the expected farrowing date, reducing feed should not be emphasized too much; only 2 days before the expected farrowing date can the amount fed be appropriately reduced. This can both provide the sow with sufficient energy and nutrition, enabling it to maintain ample strength during farrowing, and prevent too much feed intake from pressing on the birth canal and causing difficult farrowing.