Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #99644
Title: EFFECT OF PREPUBERTAL FEEDING REGIMEN ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF GILTS

Author
item Klindt, John
item Christenson, Ronald
item Yen, Jong Tseng

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science Supplement
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/12/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: Klindt, J., Christenson, R.K., Yen, J.T. 1999. Effect of prepubertal feeding regimen on reproductive performance of gilts [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 77(Suppl. 1):155-156.

Interpretive Summary: Interpretive Summary not required for an abstract.

Technical Abstract: Efficient development of gilts such that they conceive early and continue to produce offspring is a primary objective of swine production. Herein, we investigated different prepubertal feeding regimens on reproductive performance of gilts. At 13 wk of age white crossbred gilts were penned individually and assigned to treatments: AL, ad libitum access to feed from m13 to 25 wk of age; C, ad libitum access to feed from 13 wk of age until 100 kg BW and then 90% of ad libitum until 25 wk of age; and R, 74% of ad libitum from 13 to 25 wk of age. Feed was formulated to primarily restrict energy intake. The study was replicated in two seasons. At 25 wk of age gilts were moved to group pens, fed ad libitum and estrous detection initiated and continued for 7 wk. Gilts were mated at first estrus and those recycling were remated. Post-mating gilts were fed 1.5 x maintenance until 105 to 110 d of gestation when they were slaughtered or moved to farrowing crates (term). Average feed consumed (kg) from 13 wk of age to removal or term by all gilts assigned was 445 by AL, 447 by C, and 404 by by R. Percentage of gilts reaching term and age at term (d) were 64 and 317 in AL, 81 and 321 in C and 69 and 317 in R. For all gilts pig product- ion/gilt was 6.8 in AL 8.1 in C, and 6.9 in R and efficiency (pigs/kg/feed) was .0139 in AL, .0163 in C, and .0156 in R. No of pigs produced and efficiency in gilts reaching term were 10.5 and .0214 in AL, 9.7 and .0192 in C, and 9.7 and .0223 in R. These results indicate restricted feeding of gilts during prepubertal development may increase the efficiency of swine production without negative impact on reproduction from mating to term.