Feeding strategies to improve sow satiety in pen gestation housing

Abstract

Feeding systems should focus on providing sows protection when eating and equal feeding opportunities to prevent competition. Sows should be allowed to consume their entire meal during a single visit to the feeder to minimize aggression at mealtime. Generally, 30% neutral detergent fiber has been recommended to increase satiety; however, soluble fiber on a gram per day basis may be more useful to determine optimal fiber source and inclusion levels to achieve sow satiety. When combining the limited data available, increasing soluble fiber above 100 g/d appears to have the greatest potential to improve satiety.