THE SUITABLE ENERGY AND PROTEIN LEVELS IN THE DIETS FOR BREEDING XAO VA SOWS
Authors: Hoang Thi Mai, Le Minh Hai, Ta Thi Binh, Ho Thi Dung, Tran Thi Cuc
Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development
: : 184-190
Publishing year: 10/2022
The study was conducted to determine the suitable energy and protein levels in the diets of breeding Xao
Va sows. The experiment was conducted in 2 periods: pregnancy at 2nd phase (from 85th day of pregnancy
to giving birth) and lactation for Xao Va sows. The experiment was arranged according to a completely
randomized design with 2 factors per 12 experimental units (2 energy levels x 2 protein levels x 3
replicates/each combination of energy level and protein level), each experimental unit was a group of 3
sows. The two corresponding energy levels in the second pregnancy and lactation period are 2,950/3,050
and 3,000/3,100 Kcal ME/kg of feed. The respective crude protein levels in the above periods were
14.5/15.5 and 16/17%. The results showed that, for pregnant Xao Va sows, the 2 metabolic energy levels of
2,950 and 3,050 Kcal ME/kg of feed in the 2nd gestation period did not create any difference in
reproductive performance parameters. However, sows fed diets with 15.5% crude protein had piglets’ birth
weight higher than sows fed diets with 14.5% crude protein (2.60 vs. 2.27 kg/litter, 0.38 vs. 0.35 kg/head).
For lactating Xao Va sows, the reproductive parameters are also equivalent between the two energy levels
of 3,000 and 3,100 Kcal ME/kg of feed. Sows fed by 17% CP diet had a higher piglets’ weaning weight and a
shorter waiting time for mating after weaning compared to the other group. There was no influence of the
interaction between energy and protein on the study parameters in both periods. Thus, a diet with 2,950
Kcal ME/kg feed and 15.5% CP for pregnant Xao Va sows and 3,000 Kcal ME/kg feed and 17% CP for
lactating Xao Va sows should be applied to improve reproductive performance of Xao Va sows
Xao Va sows, metabolic energy, crude protein.