Feed
were observed between 0100 and 0900 h and between 1600 and 1800 h (Figure 2). Each point is an input (least squares means) of 18 sows in the cool season and 32 sows in the hot season. The size of the peak differed and the hourly feed intakes were higher during the cool season compared with the hot season from 0100 until 0900 h, 1600 h, and 1700 h (Figure 2). As for the hot season the peak at 1800 h was higher than for the cool season. Regardless of the season, sows showed a higher proportion of feed intake between 0100 and 0900 h, which was equivalent to 83% of the total daily feed intake.
Final considerations and implications The findings confirm that climatic factors, specifically high temperatures and RH, limit the performance and voluntary feed intake of lactating sows. Moreover, the studies suggest that lactating sows tend to keep a similar feeding behaviour independent of the season, with a more pronounced intake between 0100 and 0900 h. Sows may not change feeding pattern according to season, but reduce significantly the total feed intake under hot climate conditions in order to reduce the thermal effect of feed. In addition, it seems that even when sows are kept under heat stress conditions, there is still a threshold within the thermal amplitude for increasing feed intake and improving feeding patterns, when during the
cooler periods sows could compensate low diurnal feed intake if properly stimulated. The findings lead us to believe that the strategic use of feed management is a viable strategy to increase the sows’ voluntary feed intake and benefit milk production and as a consequence improve litter performance all of which can help attenuate the negative effects of heat stress conditions on the nursing sow.
References are available on request
Figure 2 - Effect of season and time of day on the daily fluctuations of ambient temperature (dotted lines) and daily feed intake in lactating sows (solid lines). * *
600
100 200 300 400 500
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Time of the day, h
(*; P < 0.05). ▶ HEAT STRESS | MAY 2021 41 * * * * * * * * * * *
management can be a viable method to increase the sows feed intake.
10 15 20 25 30 35
Cool Season Hot Season 0
Voluntary Feed Intake, g/h
Ambiente Temperature, °C
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