A review of factors influencing litter size in Irish sows

Table 1.1 Gestation feed curve for sows calculated from NRC [26] equations and using the feeding pattern proposed by Tokach et al. [43]¹

¹ For a sow of 180 kg, gaining 10 kg in body weight (above the normal weight increase due to uterine growth, uterine fluids, products of conception and mammary tissue; assumed to be 22.8 kg) during pregnancy and fed a diet containing 13 MJ DE/kg.
² Increase feed curve at each stage by (0.92 MJ DE per day) or approx. 3.5% for each 10 kg in sow weight above 180 kg.
³ Increase curve at day 13 - 45 by 6.2 MJ/day for each additional 10 kg in body weight gain required during gestation.

ISSN: 2046-0481