Comparison of Sow and Gilt Performance as Affected by Gestation Energy Intake

Gestation energy needs of sows include maintenance as well as tissue growth associated with pregnancy and fetal development. Gilts have the additional demands of body tissue growth but less maintenance needs because of smaller body size. Differences in total daily energy needs between sows and gilts have not been resolved. Results of three trials conducted to compare energy needs for specific gestation gains for sows and gilts were reported last year (Swine 84-10). These results suggested the need for approximately 870 Kcal of additional metabolizable energy (ME) (.6 lb of feed) for gilts with the desired gains of .5 lb/day for sows and .9 lb/day for gilts. The trial reported herein was designed to evaluate comparative performance of sows and gilts fed a wide range of ME levels