| A study was conducted to determine the performance of multiparous lactating sows when feed and water were made available using either a self-fed wet/dry (SFWD) or a hand-fed (HF) feed-water system. Research methods and equipment were developed for the measurement of sow water disappearance, the collection and measurement of wasted feed and water, and the determination of actual feed and water intakes of lactating sows. Sows (n = 120) were assigned to treatments based on parity and genotype. Total feed disappearance per sow during lactation (120.7 +/- 2.58 kg vs. 110.2 +/- 2.46 kg for SFWD and BY, respectively) and piglet weaning weight (6.56 +/- 0.10 vs. 6.15 +/- 0.10 kg for SFWD and HF, respectively) were greater (P < 0.01) with SFWD sows than with HF sows. The SFWD sows had greater (P = 0.02) weight gains during lactation than IV sows (6.5 +/- 1.60 vs. 1.2 +/- 1.53 kg for SFWD and HF, respectively). Sows with SFWD wasted less water (P < 0.01) than those with HF (15 +/- 9.5 vs. 227 +/- 12.9 L for SFWD and HF, respectively). However, sow average daily water intake and total feed wastage during lactation did not differ (P = 0.48 and P = 0.58, respectively) between treatments. In conclusion, use of a self-fed wet/dry feed-water system in lactation, that provides sows choices of when to eat, how much to eat, and if the dry feed should be mixed with water before consumption, enhances sow appetite and improves litter growth performance. |
