Nutrient intake, growth pattern and nutrient efficiency of Large White and Landrace piglets during lactation in cool and hot seasons

• Published in: Animal Husbandry and Agricultural Journal Vol. 30
• Main Authors: Alcantara P.R, Yothinsirikul W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 1996
• Subjects: breeds animals; cerdas; crecimiento; croissance; estacion calida; growth; ingestion de nutrientes; ingestion de substances nutritives; lactacion; lactation; nutrient intake; race animal; razas animales; saison chaude; sows; truie; warm season

Forty purebred sows (20 Large White (LW) and 20 Landrace (LR)) which farrowed their third parity were used in a Split-Split-Plot in a Completely Randomized Design. The seasons (cool and hot) were the main plot and the breeds (LW and LR) were the sub-plot. The stages of lactation (days 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 after parturition) were used as the sub-subplot. Litter size was standardized at nine to ten piglets per sow. The results showed that season had no effect on daily creep feed intake; total daily intake of dry matter, fat, crude protein and energy of the piglet; nutrient efficiency (in terms of total dry matter intake per gain and total crude protein intake per gain). It was observed that total dry matter intake and total crude protein were higher in the cool season. However, fresh water intake of piglets was higher in the hot season than in the cool season. Breed had a significant effect on daily milk intake; total daily of dry matter, water and energy; growth pattern of piglets. Landrace piglets had higher average daily gain than LW piglets during the first four weeks of the lactation period. Stage of lactation had significant effect on nutrient efficiency of piglets which includes milk intake per gain, dry matter intake from milk per gain, and energy intake from milk per gain. It did not affect crude protein intake from milk per gain. The stages of lactation also significantly affected nutrient intake of piglets from milk, creep feed and fresh water.