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Influence of Level of Total Nutrient and Protein Intake on Reproductive Performance in Swine¹

North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, Raleigh

Abstract

One hundred and forty-eight first-litter gilts and 40 second-litter sows were used in four trials to study the influence of two levels of energy and two levels of protein intake during gestation on gain and reproductive performance. The treatments were 3 or 6 lb. of feed daily, containing either 0.3 or 1.2 lb. of protein. Energy was supplied by corn starch, sugar and fat and protein was supplied by soybean meal (50% protein). Vitamins and minerals were fed to provide an equivalent daily intake for all treatments. All gilts were placed on experiment individually at the time of breeding and were fed in confinement.

Gilts fed the high energy level gained significantly more weight during gestation than those fed the low energy level. The low energy level fed during gestation appeared to be adequate for reproduction and apparently did not greatly hinder lactation performance as measured by litter weight at weaning.

In trial 1, gilts fed the low energy level farrowed significantly more live pigs while, in trial 2, gilts fed the high energy level farrowed more pigs and the litters were significantly heavier at birth. In trials 3 and 4 there was no significant difference in live pigs farrowed between feeding levels. In each of the four trials, heavier pigs were farrowed by gilts receiving the higher energy intake. Level of energy intake during gestation did not significantly influence pig survival, number of pigs weaned or litter weight at weaning. Level of protein did not significantly affect reproductive performance as measured by number of pigs farrowed, birth weight, pig survival, or litter weight at weaning.

¹ Contribution from the Animal Science Department, North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, Raleigh, North Carolina. Published with the approval of the Director of Research as Paper No. 1468 of the Journal Series.

² Represents in part a dissertation presented as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at North Carolina State College.

³ The authors wish to acknowledge the assistance of Chas. Pfizer and Co., Inc., Terre Haute, Indiana, for supplying the vitamins; H. C. H. Kernkamp for medical care of the gilts and pigs; and of Charlie Otto and Walter Williams for feeding and care of the gilts and litters.