87 Effect of calcium supplementation on gestation and farrowing characteristics of sows. (29th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harrelson, Flint W; Emery, Audrey; Moore, Courtney; Siefert, Dillon; Harrelson, Patricia L
• Is Part Of: Journal of animal science. Volume 97(2019)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 30
• Page End: 30
• Publication Date: 2019-07-29
• Subjects: calcium -- farrowing -- supplementation; Livestock -- Periodicals; Livestock; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 636.005
• DOI: 10.1093/jas/skz053.067
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8812

Abstract

Abstract: Calcium, when supplemented prior to farrowing, has been shown to reduce stillborn deaths by shortening farrowing duration. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of calcium supplementation on birth weight, gestation length, live vs. stillborn piglets, and litter weight. Twenty crossbred sows and gilts, across two farrowing groups, were stratified by parity (range = 0 - 9) and randomly allocated to one of two treatments, no calcium supplement (CON) or a 28% calcium supplement (CAL) beginning 3 d prior to initiation of farrowing. Supplement was top-dressed at the afternoon feeding (1500 h) and was maintained through parturition, whether it preceded or succeeded the expected 3 d treatment. Sows were monitored from the initiation of farrowing until passage of the placenta was complete and delivery time, birth weight, and sex of piglets was recorded. All data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. No significant effect (P = 0.41) on birth weight was observed for CAL compared to CON sows (1.42 vs. 1.38 ± 0.03 kg). Gestation length was reduced (P < 0.01) for CAL sows compared to CON sows (115.1 vs. 116.2 ± 0.2 d, respectively), while both litter size (P = 0.32) and litter weight (P = 0.25) were unaffected by supplementation. Calcium supplementation exhibited no impact on either the percentage of piglets born alive (P = 0.51) nor percentage of stillborn piglets (P = 0.50) though numerically these were improved compared to controls (87.3 vs. 80.4 ± 8.0%, and 11.95 vs. 18.15 ± 8.0%, respectively). In summary, calcium supplemented sows farrowed sooner, though piglet birth weight along with percentage of piglets born alive or stillborn was similar to those whom were not supplemented.