What are the feeding precautions for lactating sows?

If lactating sows are managed well, they come into estrus easily after weaning and maintain good reproductive performance, which ensures that piglets can be transferred to the nursery barn in better condition after weaning, thereby laying a solid foundation for improving the survival rate. The following points should be noted when feeding:

1. The feed amount from farrowing to weaning should be averaged; generally no feed is given on the day of farrowing, about 1 kg on the 2nd day, then increased by 0.5 kg per day, until 4-5 kg/day after 1 week until weaning.

2. Ensure sufficient energy in the lactating sow feed

The energy of lactating sows should be below 11.7MJ/kg, and protein should not be less than 16%. This is because lactating sows must maintain their own energy needs on the one hand, and nurse piglets on the other, so the sow consumes too much of her own body reserves, which affects lactation and the next estrus. When the protein content is high (preferably around 17%), it can promote the sow to secrete more milk, reduce maternal nutrient weight loss, prevent deterioration of reproductive performance, and improve the piglet survival rate.

3. It is best to feed lactating sows wet feed

In the southern region of China, summer is hot and humid, which easily makes sows lose appetite. In addition, since 80% of sow milk is water, water should be supplemented even more. Generally, after adding dry feed to the trough, add water at 2 times the amount of the dry feed, which can greatly improve the palatability of the feed.

4. While feeding a complete-price feed, appropriately add some green, juicy feed (such as sweet potato vines, etc.).

First, it can improve the sow's appetite and increase milk secretion; second, it can reduce the occurrence of constipation in sows. However, the green feed to be fed should first be rinsed clean with water, then dried in the sun, thereby reducing the occurrence and spread of parasitic diseases.