[Energy intake of adult Great Danes]

Energy intake and weight development were recorded in 5 adult Great Danes kept in outdoor kennels during maintenance, pregnancy and lactation. In periods with constant weights the energy requirement was 0.96 MJ DE/kg BW0.75/d with a minimum in summer (0.82) and a maximum in winter (1.1). In pregnancy (weight gain depending on litter size 7-15 kg) energy intake (ad-lib.-feeding) was similar to maintenance. During lactation energy intake reached 1.6-1.7 MJ DE/kg BW0.75/d with a dry matter intake of 83 g/kg BW0.75/d. Pups of great litters had to be fed with milk substitute for normal weight development.