Effect of feeding frequency on reproductive performances and stress responses in gestating sows

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of feeding frequency on a sow's reproductive performance and stress response during gestation. A total of twenty multiparous sows (Yorkshire × Landrace) were used in a completely randomized design based on their parity, body weight (BW), and backfat thickness (BFT), and the sows were allotted to two different feeding systems: 1) once daily feeding (OF) and 2) twice daily feeding (TF) in corn-soybean meal based diets. The gestation diet was formulated to contain 3,265 kcal of metabolizable energy (ME) / kg, 12.90% of crude protein (CP), and 0.75 % of total lysine. The lactation diet was formulated to contain 3,265 kcal of ME / kg, 16.80% of CP, and 1.08% of total lysine and provided ad libitum during lactation. In gestation, sow BFT and BF changes were not affected by feeding frequency, but higher BW and BW gain from day 35 to 90 and day 35 to 110 were observed in OF sow (p < 0.10). In lactation, feeding frequency did not influence on BW, BW gain, BFT, BF changes, average daily feed intake, and wean-to-estrus interval. Also, there were no differences in litter size, litter weight and piglet weight in lactating sows. OF sows had higher (p < 0.05; p < 0.10) protein, solid-not-fat, and total solid concentrations in colostrum compared to TF sows, while OF sows had a lower (p < 0.05) lactose concentration in colostrum compared to TF sows. Sows in OF showed significantly lower average daily water consumption (ADWC) from day 35 to 110 of gestation (p < 0.05). While there were no significant differences in stereotypic behaviors and salivary cortisol levels during gestation between treatments, the OF sows showed less time spending on the activity at day 105 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, reduced feeding frequency increased BW gain during gestation, decreased activation time, and changed the colostrum composition. This information may contribute to the understanding of the physiological and behavioral change of gestating sows by manipulating feeding frequency.