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Influence of Supplemental Light on Sow Performance during and after Lactation^1,2,

Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506

Abstract

A completely randomized block experiment with two treatments was designed to investigate the effect of supplemental light on sow performance during and after lactation. Crossbred multi and primiparous sows were exposed to either limited (control, n = 164) or 16 h (n = 163) timer-controlled supplemental light beginning 3 to 9 d before expected farrowing. Overhead illumination (32 to 266 lux) was furnished by seven fixtures (two tubes each) of cool white fluorescent light at twice-daily feedings in control rooms (<1 h/d) and for 16 h/d in supplementally lighted rooms (16 h). Litter size was equalized within 48 h postpartum (10 ± .1 pigs/litter; ± SE) in each of five identical rooms that served alternately as control or 16-h treatments during 10 consecutive weekly farrowings (September 24 to November 26, 1981). Litters were heavier (P±.05) at weaning (26 ± .1 d) for 16-h than for control sows (57.8 ± 1 vs 54.3 ± 1 kg) while pigs weaned (9.2 ± .1 vs 9.1 ± .1), piglet survival (90 vs 91%) and days to mating (5.9 ± .4 vs 5.5 ± .3) were similar (P>.05). However, more (P<.01) 16-h than control sows (83 vs 68%) were mated by 5 d postweaning. Multiparous sows weaned heavier (P<.05) litters than primiparous sows (57.9 ± 1 vs 50.1 ± 1 kg) while overall litter weight increased (P<.05) 141 ± 6 g for each 10 lux increase in light intensity. We concluded that litter weight is increased and return to postweaning estrus more synchronous when sows are exposed to 16 h supplemental light/d during a 4-wk lactataion.

¹ Contribution No. 82-549-j, Kansas Agr. Exp. Sta., Manhattan 66506.

² The authors wish to thank R. Rindt, P. Peters and D. Welborn of F & R Swine, Dwight, KS, and W. D. Schoenherr for their assistance and cooperation in conducting this study.

³ Dept. of Anim. Sci. and Ind.

⁴ Dept. of Agr. Engr.

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