DanBred dam lines. Key management aspects

Gilt development phase

The gilt development phase is fundamental to ensure the quality of the animal, especially in terms of longevity and productive life. During this phase, all animals must be guaranteed access to feed and water and a minimum space allowance of 0.75 - 1m² per animal up to 110 kg. From 110 kg and up, animals should be provided with 1.50 - 1.90 m².

Partially slatted concrete floors are recommended, which should not be slippery and should allow proper wear of the hooves. If the nursery has plastic floors, the gilts should be moved to the gilt development unit at a maximum weight of 18 kg.

Feeding during gilt development

Due to the high growth potential of DanBred gilts, limiting growth is recommended. Moderating the growth rate is positively correlated with longevity as it positively affects bone development.

Daily growth of about 900 g/day from 30 kg to 150 kg yields better results in terms of reproduction and long-term productivity.

We recommend restricted feeding because it is an easy way to regulate average daily gain. Feeding future breeding sows ad libitum can increase the risk of average daily gain exceeding our recommendations. When feeding moderate to high protein diets it is easy to see weights of 190 kg at 220-230 days of age.

Traditionally, in most gilt development units, the gilts are fed ad libitum, so we recommend following a feeding regimen to achieve the target of 190 days, 130 kg, 11-12 mm BFT (backfat thickness).

We recommend using three diets in this phase:

1. One diet for animals up to 75-80 kg with the goal of proper animal growth and preventing problems such as tail and ear biting, etc. (2366 Kcal NE 8.2 g/kg SID Lys.)
2. A second diet from 75-80 kg to 110 kg that is much lower in lysine (2366 Kcal NE, 5.2 g/kg SID Lys) to slow growth and promote backfat deposition. Vitamin and mineral content must be adequate to ensure bone development and good general health.
3. A third diet from 110 kg until mating, where the same net energy is maintained, but the lysine intake is further reduced (2366 Kcal NE, 4.1 g/kg SID Lys) to promote backfat deposition, with a minimum intake of 3 kg/day.

From here, it is very important to follow the recommendations for the first mating, which for DanBred sows are:

• 210-230 days of age
• 150-165 kg body weight
• 13-15 mm backfat
• Inseminate in second or third heat

Managing the first mating

We recommend:

• Entry from the quarantine or gilt development unit at 25 weeks and training for the electronic sow feeding stations if necessary.
• Boar exposure at 26-27 weeks.

Working in this way we would obtain estrus synchronization from 28 to 30 weeks, to inseminate between 31 and 33 weeks.

Regarding the first insemination, weight should be prioritized over age. Sows that have not reached the minimum weight of 150 kg should be held back until the next heat.

Management and feeding during gestation

Proper feeding before mating is key to good litter size and fertility results.

In gilts, we recommend flushing at least during the 7-10 days before insemination (3.5 - 4 kg*/day). For adult sows, an ad libitum feeding system is recommended after weaning until they come into estrus. Intakes can reach 4.5-5 kg/day.

In this phase, do not forget the importance of light, which should be at least 200 lux at the sows' eye level for at least 16 hours per day until the end of inseminations.

In the first phase of gestation, we recommend feeding gilts 2.2-2.4 kg* per day. Litter size and fertility may be adversely affected if these amounts are exceeded.

On the other hand, adult sows should regain the ideal body condition (14-17 mm at farrowing) as soon as possible. We can use the following table as a guide (classification of body condition at weaning):

Table 1. Feeding curves guidelines for sows during gestation.

*Feed amounts are based on a diet with an energy density of 2250 Kcal NE and 4.2 g/kg SID Lys (9.5 MJ NE 12.5 MJ ME/1.05 EW)

.Feeding primiparous sows more during the last third of gestation favors mammary tissue development.

Management and feeding in the farrowing room

A ration of 3.5-3.7 kg of feed in the pre farrowing period (from day 108 of gestation to farrowing), with a daily intake of 20-22 g SID Lys, optimizes milk production and litter weight at weaning. A high energy intake around farrowing shortens its duration and helps reduce stillbirths. To achieve this, we recommend the use of lactation feed (2450 Kcal NE and 8.8 g SID Lys) at the recommended rations from the start of farrowing as long as the health conditions (MMA, neonatal diarrhea...) allow it, or if not, a specific perifarrowing feed. Ideally, 3 daily feedings should be given, 8-10 hours apart in this phase.

After farrowing, the daily amount of feed should be progressively increased. The target should be 6.5 -7 kg at 7 days for adult sows and 5.5 kg for primiparous sows, which should continue increasing thereafter.

Water is very important at this stage, so we recommend using high-flow systems with a minimum supply of 7-8 liters per minute.

The DanBred sow can wean 15-16 piglets under the sow, but with many farms exceeding 18 born alive, the use of nurse sows or alternative supplemental milk systems is necessary to maximize production.

Due to the constant evolution of animals, their requirements also change and the manuals are constantly updated and are available on our website: danbred.com