Feeding less than 4lb a day

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Charliepig
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Feeding less than 4lb a day

Post by Charliepig » Mon Nov 28, 2016 8:41 pm

After last summer's nightmare I had farrowing, I came to the conclusion I overfed my sows by a lot. I cut them back to 3.5lb per day through most gestation and this past week pulled them back to 2.5-3 lb a day. I want them around a body condition score of 2. Not starving but thin. They all look ok, except I have one heavy muscled gal that is still wide on top.

Is there any detriment to feeding less than 4 lb a day? I want smaller pigs to come out at farrowing, my last go had several 3.5 and 4 lb piglets. The sows seem very hungry when I show up, but they're fine. I don't want to go too far and have the piglets have any setbacks from underfeeding though.

I also picked up some Transrite sow ultra today. Hope it helps to supplement them with that product.

Thanks in advance for any input.

CLVR
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Re: Feeding less than 4lb a day

Post by CLVR » Wed Nov 30, 2016 8:24 am

I had problems this past summer also. I was told I had my gilts way to heavy. I am breeding right now. I intend to feed 4 pounds a day. I ordered Transrite after a disastrous litter but had problems getting it on time for following liters. I intend to use it on future litters. Hoping I have learned and will have success this go around

SPRINGBRANCH
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Re: Feeding less than 4lb a day

Post by SPRINGBRANCH » Thu Dec 01, 2016 2:04 pm

i think over conditioning is a big problem in gilts, you want them thin. too many folks take a show gilt that was a heavyweight and conditioned for show and breed them. my guess is that not too many of those gilts do too well farrowing, although some surprise you. a good sow can be a little fatter without problems based on my experience. unfortunately you can see a gilt that looks really maternal and one that looks more terminal and sometimes they'll surprise you. definitely try to breed the more terminal looking females a little older.

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