An overview of hourly rhythm of demand-feeding pattern by a controlled feeding system on productive performance of lactating sows during summer

Abstract

The present study investigated the impacts of the conventional feeder and free feeding time (FFT), and backfat thickness (<20 mm and ≥20 mm) on sows at farrowing to weaning during the summer season. A total of 56 crossbred sows were allotted to one of four treatments according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Feeder type affected body weight changes (p <20 mm backfat thickness compared with those with ≥20 mm backfat thickness during the lactation period. Daily feed intake was greater in sows with lower backfat thickness (5.47 kg; p