Feeding Level of Gestating Sows

Why is condition scoring of sows important?

  • Prevent the loss of body weight.
  • Maintain an adequate level of backfat.
  • Observe and record the levels of feeding and nutrition.
  • Increase the longevity of the sow herd.
  • Decrease problems with farrowing, rebreeding and culling.

What factors affect the body condition score?

  •  Diet, both quantity and quality.
  • Weather and environment.
  • Genetics.
  • Health.
  • Stage of production, e.g., age or gestation vs. lactation.
  • Caretaker skills.

When should caretakers score body condition?

  • 14 days after weaning.
  • Mid-gestation.
  • 14 days before farrowing.
  • 2 weeks post-farrowing or near weaning.

Who should score the sows?

  • The same person for each herd and each time to ensure consistency.

What guidelines are available for scoring?

Photos of sows of different body conditions from one to five, or from very thin to obese.

Image
Sow Body Condition photos courtesy of Elanco Animal Health.

Backfat depths at the last rib over the loin muscle:

Condition scoreBackfat, inches
1less than 0.6
20.6 – 0.7
30.7 – 0.8
40.8 – 0.9
5more than 0.9

What condition score should sows have at different stages?

  • At breeding: 2.5 to 3
  • Middle of gestation: 3.0
  • 14 days pre-farrowing: 3.0

What is a good scoring record and how should the feeding level be adjusted?

Sow NumberCondition ScoreChange in feeding level/day
12345
201X    +1.0 lb
253 X   +0.5 lb
361  X  0 lb
225   X -0.25 lb
333    X-0.75 lb

For example sow number 201 has a condition score of 1 and needs to have her feed increased by 1.0 lb/day to gradually move her to condition score 3. Sow 333 has a condition score of 5 and needs to have her ration decrea

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Information developed for the Pork Information Gateway, a project of the U.S. Pork Center of Excellence supported fully by USDA/Agricultural Research Service, USDA/Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Pork Checkoff, NPPC, state pork associations from Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Utah, and the Extension Services from several cooperating Land-Grant Institutions including Iowa State University, North Carolina State University, University of Minnesota, University of Illinois, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska, Purdue University, The Ohio State University, South Dakota State University, Kansas State University, Michigan State University, University of Wisconsin, Texas A & M University, Virginia Tech University, University of Tennessee, North Dakota State University, University of Georgia, University of Arkansas, and Colorado State University.