Association of inadequate feed intake during lactation with removal of sows from the breeding herd

Objectives: To assess the association of farrowing and lactation factors with likelihood of removal of sows from the breeding herd before the next farrowing, and to analyze the effect on sow removals of inadequate daily feed intake (≤ 3.5 kg per day) during the first 2 weeks of lactation. Methods: Retrospective data on sows in a research herd were subjected to multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine associations between sow retention and factors relating to feed intake, farrowing, and lactation. Results: Higher average daily lactation feed intake, greater litter weight, and greater backfat thickness at weaning were associated with less likelihood of removal of sows from the herd before the subsequent parity. Sows consuming ≤ 3.5 kg of feed per day during the first 2 weeks of lactation were more likely to be removed from the herd before the next parity. Implications: Measures to ensure adequate feed intake from the start of lactation may minimize sow removals from breeding herds. Under the conditions of this study, a sow consuming no feed on a single day during the first 2 weeks of lactation has the highest odds of removal from the herd.