How can sow lactation feed intake be determined?
One way is to weigh out a certain quantity of feed (e.g., 100 lb.) for each sow and then determine how many days that quantity of feed will last. Divide the amount of feed used by the number of days to establish daily feed intake. An alterative method is to record the number of feed containers (weigh scoops, coffee cans, etc.) used to feed the sows over a period of several days and determine the average amount consumed per day. Because sows differ in their ability to adjust to feed post farrowing, it may be best to determine feed consumption after four or five days post farrowing. Q. Is it necessary to adjust the dietary lysine level in my sow herd when I am getting low feed intakes? Yes. Lysine is generally the amino acid most likely to limit milk production in the lactating sow when a corn-soybean meal diet is fed. A low feed intake will result in a low lysine intake. It is essential to formulate lactation diets to a lysine concentration that reflects the feed intake of the sow herd.
