14 FEED SYSTEMS In general, both total feed intake and daily feed intake appear to be superior for sows being fed with the SowMAX feeders. This was predominantly true during the summer months. Daily sow feed intake was consistently greater during the summer with the SowMAX feedersafterthefirstweekoflactationcompared to hand feeding. This was also true during the winter months due to a more consistent feed intake pattern over the entire lactation period, with less variation from day to day. During the summer, sowshad a similar pattern of daily feed intake with both feeding systems. However, sows in farrowing crates with a SowMAX feeder simply ate more. In contrast, during the winter the increase in feed intake for sows with the SowMAX feeder was due mainly to the lack of several transient periods of decreased feed intake which were prevalent when sows were fed. In this study, there was less feed wastage on a dry matter basis with the SowMAX feeders. Additionally, SowMAX feeders required less labor and maintenance (cleaning) by employees that fed the sows, especially during the summer months when sow water consumption is high. The increased feed intake during lactation resulted in better pre-weaning weight gain by the piglets. There were no differences in piglet mortality or rebreeding performance between treatments.Aratherinterestingobservationwas the lower body temperature during the last week in lactation of the sows utilizing the SowMAX feeders. This was even more prominent during the summer months and most likely is the factor responsible for the increased daily feed intake in these sows. This is most likely due to them being able to regulate their feed intake during the day. It has been shown that after consumption of a single large meal the core body temperature increases, compared to intake of the same amount that is distributed evenly over a longer period of time. It appears the sows actually do regulate their feed intake, at least in part, based on the temperature of the ambient environment. To read the full study visit www.hogslat.com. Day of Lactation Feed Intake (lbs) 5 10 15 20 5 10 15 20 0 SowMax Hand Feeding Day of Lactation Feed Intake (lbs) 5 10 15 20 5 10 15 20 0 SowMax Hand Feeding Figure 1. Daily feed intake patterns during lactation for sows on SowMax self feeders and sows being fed twice daily by hand during the winter months. SowMax feeders were filled at 0630 as needed. Hand feeding occurred at 0630 and 1430 daily. Figure 2. Daily feed intake patterns during lactation for sows on SowMax self feeders and sows being fed twice daily by hand during the summer months. SowMax feeders were filled at 0630 as needed. Hand feeding occurred at 0630 and 1430 daily.
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