Arraçoamento de matrizes suínas em lactação e os efeitos no desempenho pré-desmame das leitegadas

Abstract

During the first weeks of piglets' life, the weight gain necessary for them to have a good development is directly related to the voluntary food consumption of lactating sows. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of sow consumption during lactation on the pre-weaning performance of piglets. Twenty-two swine sows of different birth orders were used, distributed in two treatments (11 animals per treatment) with the following feeding patterns: Feed supply of 5 kg on the first day postpartum and 8 kg from the second day until weaning (Treatment 1); restricted supply during the first week of lactation, starting with 2 kg on the first day after parturition, 4 kg on the second day, 5 kg on the third day, 6 kg on the fourth day, 7 kg on the fifth day and from the sixth day onwards the supply becomes 8 kg until weaning of the piglets (Treatment 2). All litters will be weighed at birth, at 7, 14, and 21 days of age, to follow the weight gain from birth to weaning. In the end, an economic evaluation was carried out, considering the total feed consumption in both treatments. After the statistical analyses, it was noticed that there were no differences between the litter weight averages between the two treatments, during the entire experimental period. When analyzing the consumption pattern of the sows, a statistical difference was observed only during the first week of lactation, which was already expected, due to the restricted consumption to which the sows of treatment 2 were submitted. Regarding economic viability, there was no statistical difference between treatments, based on an average value of R$ 2.77 per kg of lactation ration, the total consumption of 145.47 kg/female represented an approximate expense of R$ 402.95 per lactating female in treatment 1. For treatment 2, there was a consumption of 145.27 kg/female, representing an approximate expense of R$ 402.40 kg per female, resulting in insignificant economic differences between treatments. Through all the information gathered, the provision of a restricted diet during the first week of lactation did not affect the performance of lactating sows and their litters. Regarding economic viability, based on feed consumption, both treatments can be used on commercial farms, without harming the producer. However, restricted consumption during the first week of lactation results in less feed waste, making it an interesting option for the producer as it generates savings in the amount spent on feed.