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Influence of Level of Total Feed Intake on Digestibility, Rate of Passage and Energetic Efficiency of Reproduction in Swine¹

North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, Raleigh

Abstract

Twelve fifth-litter sows fed two gestational feeding levels (1.36 and 2.27 kg. daily) were used in two digestion trials during lactation to determine the effect of feeding level on rate of passage, diet digestibility and efficiency of energy utilization during reproduction. The lactation feeding levels were approximately two, four and six times the maintenance requirement. A fortified corn-soybean meal diet was used in trial 1 and barley was used in place of corn in trial 2. Two sows from each gestation treatment were assigned to each feeding level during lactation.

Rate of passage of chromium oxide was significantly influenced by level of feed intake. Level of feed intake also affected the length of time required for the chromium oxide excretion to reach equilibrium. Passage of chromium oxide through the gut was more rapid when barley was fed, and the fecal concentration of chromium oxide reached equilibrium sooner than when corn was fed. Moisture content of the feces was directly related to feeding level.

Digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract and organic matter were all significantly influenced by feeding level, however, the magnitude of the differences was small.

Sow weight loss during lactation was indirectly related to feeding level as was creep feed consumption. Efficiency of energy utilization during the reproductive cycle, that is, energy gained by the letter plus or minus the energy content of the weight change of the sow divided by the metabolizable energy intake during gestation, lactation and creep feed was significantly influenced by feeding level during lactation.

¹ Contribution from the Animal Science Department, North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, Raleigh, North Carolina. Published as Paper No. 2239 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 University.