Feeding and introducing gilts into the herd

When doing a flock overhaul, it is worth noting that in addition to quarantining and acclimatizing the animals, it is proper feeding that will correlate our age with good gilt weight.

The feeding program for gilts should be adapted to the animals that will arrive on the farm and the conditions under which they will be raised.

In the first stage of feeding up to 50 kg and 14 weeks of age, feed is given at will ( ad libitum). There are two options for rearing gilts.
The first – we feed specially balanced feed for breeding gilts (with the parameters listed below) or the second we feed with starter feed. However, when feeding starter feed, there is a risk of over-growth of gilts, which often results in their crowding and related problems with the detection of the first heat.

If the farmer makes the feed himself, he can lower the energy and raise the fiber levels in the starter according to a recipe balanced by a nutritional advisor.

The next important stage is the period from 15 to 30 weeks of age at 55-125 kg, it is recommended to feed breeding gilt feed containing the appropriate parameters and in quantities according to the curve.

If the breeder has the ability to control feed consumption individually, he can switch to LP feed earlier as early as about 110 kg (26-27 weeks of age). Two weeks before insemination, we introduce flushig to influence better heat, reduce repetitions and may translate into more piglets per litter.

Gilts need less feed than sows.

• during flushing 0.4 – 0.5 kg less
• during the prostration period 0.2 – 0.3 kg less
• During lactation 0.4 – 0.5 kg less

Remember that the gilt at the time of mating should reach the appropriate weight and age recommended by each geneticist.
A gilt , which will be too young when it enters reproduction will not reveal its genetic potential. For the breeder, this means a deterioration of production results, and thus lower profitability of production.

Pig feeding specialist
Barbara Frankiewicz