Tri-State Swine Nutrition Guide
Bulletin 869-98
Weaning to Rebreeding Interval
Upon weaning, there is an immediate reduction in feed intake and body
weight as milk production ceases and mammary tissue dehydrates. The sow
that is weaned from 17 to 28 days of lactation will normally cycle
within five to 10 days of weaning, with longer intervals attributed to
parity-one sows and sows that have a poorer body condition. Sows weaned
early (i.e., < 14 days) may take an additional two to five days for
estrus to occur.
An elevated feed intake from weaning to estrus (flushing) may be
beneficial for sows that have lost a great deal of weight and body
tissue during lactation. This flushing effect may increase the ovulation
rate of poorly conditioned sows. If sows are weaned after 14 days
postpartum and are in good body condition, they should be bred on the
first cycle postweaning. The gestation diet is a satisfactory feed to
provide during this transition rebreeding period. Lactating sows that
have lost a great deal of weight and first-parity sows may, in fact,
produce larger litters if bred on their second estrus cycle postweaning.
The additional feed and facility costs of breeding on the second estrus
postweaning need to be considered in this management decision.
Once bred, the sows' feed intake should be immediately returned to the
established gestation feed intake level (Table 11). A higher amount of
energy consumed during the postbreeding period will cause an increase in
body heat, which can affect embryonic mortality.
| Table 11. Estimated Feed Intakes for Gestating Sows Fed a Corn-Soybean Meal Dieta.
|
|---|
| Parity | Gestation
Weight
Gain (lb.)
| Farrow
Weightb (lb.)
| Body
Condition
Score (1-5)
| Backfat
(last rib)c
| Approximate
Feed
Intake, lb.d |
|---|
| Inch | mm | Industry
Average | High-
Producing
|
|---|
| 1 | 90-125 | 350-400 | 3 | 0.8 - 1.0 | 20 - 25 | 4.0 | 4.3 |
| 2 | 70-100 | 380-425 | 3 | 0.8 - 1.0 | 20 - 25 | 4.3 | 4.6 |
| 3 | 70-100 | 420-450 | 3 | 0.8 - 0.9 | 19 - 21 | 4.5 | 4.9 |
| 4 | 70-90 | 450-480 | 3 | 0.7 - 0.8 | 18 - 20 | 4.8 | 5.2 |
| 5-7 | 70-90 | 480-520 | 3 | 0.7 - 0.8 | 18 - 20 | 5.0 | 5.5 |
a Based upon herd measurement averages, the daily feed intakes should be
adjusted to match the housing environment and the sow's body score.
b Farrowing weight will reflect the initial breeding weight plus gestation gain.
Lean-maternal genotypes may be bred at a heavier body weight without becoming fat.
c Collected upon entrance to the farrowing house.
d Estimated gestation feed intakes to achieve the desired measurements. Adjustments
may be needed based on body conditioning score.
|
|
Table 12. Nutrient Recommendations for Lactation (Based on Productivity and Age).
|
|---|
| Item | Parity 1 | Parity 2 and Later |
|---|
| Industry Average | High-Producing | Industry
| High-Producing |
|---|
| Expected Performance |
|---|
| Daily feed intake, lb. |
| 0-14 day | 8.5 - 10.0 | 9.5 - 10.5 | 10.5 - 12.0 | 11.5 - 14.0 |
| 0-21 day | 9.5 - 10.5 | 10.0 - 11.0 | 11.0 - 13.0 | 12.5 - 16.0 |
| Lysine intake/day, g | 35 | 43 | 38 | 50 | |
| Lactation weight loss |
| (Farrow-Weaning), lb. | 10 - 20 | 15 - 25 | 0 - 15 | 0 - 20 |
| Rebreeding interval, days | 7 to 12 | 7 to 12 | 4 to 7 | 4 to 7 |
| Nutrient Requirements (As-Fed Basis) |
|---|
| Energy, Mcal ME/lb. | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Protein, % | 15 | 18 | 14 | 16 |
| Amino Acids (total)a |
| Lysine, % | 0.75 | 0.90 | 0.70 | 0.80 |
| Tryptophan, % | 0.15 | 0.18 | 0.13 | 0.15 |
| Threonine, % | 0.50 | 0.55 | 0.47 | 0.53 |
| Methionine + Cystine, % | 0.45 | 0.47 | 0.40 | 0.45 |
| Valine, % | 0.75 | 0.90 | 0.70 | 0.80 |
| Macro-mineralsb |
| Calcium, % | 0.90 | 1.00 | 0.90 | 1.00 |
| Phosphorus (total), % | 0.70 | 0.80 | 0.70 | 0.80 |
| Phosphorus (available), % | 0.42 | 0.45 | 0.42 | 0.45 |
| Sodium, % | 0.20 | 0.20 | 0.20 | 0.20 |
| Chloride, % | 0.16 | 0.16 | 0.16 | 0.16 |
| (Salt, %) | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 |
| Trace-mineralsc |
| Copper, ppm | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Iodine, ppm | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.15 |
| Iron, ppm | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Manganese, ppm | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Selenium, ppm | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Zinc, ppm | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 |
| Vitaminsc |
| Vitamin A, IU/lb. | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Vitamin D, IU/lb. | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 |
| Vitamin E, IU/lb. | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Vitamin K, mg/lb. | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Biotin, mg/lb. | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.10 |
| Choline, g/lb. | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Folic acid, mg/lb. | 0.75 | 0.75 | 0.75 | 0.75 |
| Niacin, mg/lb. | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Riboflavin, mg/lb. | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Pantothenic acid, mg/lb. | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Vitamin B12, µg/lb. | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
a Total amino-acid content reflects a diet compound largely of a
corn-soybean meal mixture.
b Values reflect total dietary concentrations unless noted otherwise.
c Values reflect the supplemental level to be added to the diet.
|
Figure 7. Body Condition Scores Used for Sows (Late Gestation).
|
|---|
| Score |
Condition |
Backfat (last rib) |
Body Characteristics |
|---|
| inch | mm |
|---|
| 1 | Emaciated | < 0.4 | < 10 | Hips, backbone, ribs prominent to the eye. |
| 2 | Thin | 0.4 - 0.6 | 10-15 | Hips, backbone, and ribs are easily felt without applying palm pressure. |
| 3 | Ideal | 0.7 - 0.9 | 15 - 22 | Hips, backbone felt only with firm palm pressure, ribs easily felt but covered. |
| 4 | Fat | 1.0 - 1.1 | 23 - 29 | Hips, backbone, and ribs cannot be felt easily. |
| 5 | Overfat | > 1.2 | > 30 | Hips, backbone, and ribs heavily covered. |
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