High-fibre diets for ad libitum feeding of sows during lactation

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Abstract
1. Two diets, containing either 400 g oat husks (OH) or 300 g straw (ST) per kg, given ad libitum during a 7-week lactation, were compared with a conventional control diet (C) given in restricted amounts. Eight sows per treatment were used in a randomized-block experiment.2. Mean daily intakes of dry matter during lactation were 4·87, 7·79 and 5·80 kg for the C, OH and ST diets respectively (P>0·001).3. There were no significant differences between diets in number or weights of piglets per litter either at 21 days of age or at weaning.4. Mean changes in live weight during lactation were –9·8, +5 1 and –16·8kg for sows on the C, OH and ST diets respectively (P0·001), which were similar.