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Physical and chemical properties of feedstuffs can be changed by feed processing. Moreover, through various mechanisms, feed processing can affect growth performance and feed efficiency of swine, nutrition value of the feed. It is known that pelleting feed can improve the growth performance and feed efficiency in swine. However, few studies have evaluated the use of crumble diets and mashed diets in lactating sows. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of crumbled and mashed diets on the performance of lactation sows and their offspring. A total of 20 sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) with an average body weight (BW) of 266.1 kg 4 d before farrowing were used to determine the effect of feed processing on the performance of lactating sows and their offspring. The following two dietary treatments were used: 1) Crumble diet (C); and 2) Mash diet (M). Ten replications were used for each treatment. Back fat thickness of sows was measured at 4 d before farrowing, 1 d after farrowing, and during weaning. Sow BW were also checked at 4 d before farrowing, 1 d after farrowing, and during weaning. Fecal score of sows were assessed on d 14. Fecal score of piglets were observed on d 7, 15, and 24 with sow as experimental unit.
No significant (p > 0.05) difference was observed in the reproduction performance of sows between the two treatments. In addition, there was no difference in the growth performance of piglets between the two treatments, neither for the fecal score of sows or piglets.
In conclusion, different feed processing (mash or crumble) did not make any significant difference on the performance of lactation sow or their piglets.
Kim, S. C., Li, H. L., Park, J. H., & Kim, I. H. (2015). Crumbled or mashed feed had no significant effect on the performance of lactating sows or their offspring. Journal of animal science and technology, 57(1), 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40781-015-0078-9