Milk Production in Lactating Sows and Time Lengths Used in Evaluating Milk Production Estimates

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Abstract
Ten 24-hr. milk production estimations were made with six second-litter sows nursing 10 pigs each. Six milk production estimates were made on day 13, and 4 were made on day 21 of lactation. Milk production did not differ for the 2 periods and averaged 347 g per nursing, as measured by weighing the litter before and after each nursing. Each sow was initially nursed according to a pre-established frequency. Nursing intervals were adjusted during each series of measurements, depending on the willingness of the sow to be nursed. The average nursing interval was 70 minutes. Milk production was relatively constant throughout the day. A decreased number of nursings occurred between midnight and 4:00 am, but the quantity of milk released per pig was above the average value. The variance of milk production decreased as the duration of milk production measurements increased. The 4-hr, variance was significantly (P<.02) greater than the 8-, 12- or 16-hr. variance. An additional 10% decrease in the variance was indicated for periods longer than 8 hours. Copyright © 1971. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1971 by American Society of Animal Science.

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