Feeding sows with high fibre diet around farrowing and early lactation: impact on intestinal activity, energy balance related parameters and litter performance.

The effects of fibre in diets for periparturient sows are poorly documented. Three weeks before farrowing, 41 sows (LACT) were fed a diet containing 3.8% crude fibre. Other 40 sows (FIBRE) received a diet containing 7% crude fibre. We estimated the intestinal activity of the sows with a daily qualitative evaluation of their faeces. The FIBRE group had a qualitative faeces score value of 2.1+/-1.3 and the LACT group had a value of 1.2+/-1.1 (P<0.001). Individual daily water consumption was higher in the FIBRE group than in the LACT group (P<0.001). Piglet weight gain at day 5 was higher in the FIBRE group (P<0.05). The energy balance related parameters did not differ between the treatments. Concluding, diets containing more fibre can be successfully used around farrowing reducing prolonged constipation of sows with no negative effect on their energy balance related parameters.