During the lactation period, a sow requires a significant amount of energy—both to maintain her own body condition and to meet the demands of milk production for her litter. So, how much energy is enough?

Energy requirements of lactating sows

As you know, the higher a sow’s body weight, the larger the litter she nurses, and the faster her piglets grow— all of which drive an increased demand for energy. However, in Vietnam, the hot climate and typical farming conditions often lead to reduced feed intake in sows, resulting in a deficiency of essential energy and nutrients.

Does the core issue truly lie in the amount of feed consumed?

Or is it, in fact, the energy density and nutritional balance of the diet that require greater attention?

This is precisely why a new nutritional solution for high-producing lactating sows has been developed: ICHIBAN 81S.

An effective diet should do more than just enhance palatability to encourage better feed intake; it must also precisely meet the sow’s requirements during her peak production phase.

How to calculate the feed intake of lactating sows

A quick formula for calculating the feed intake of a lactating sow from day 7 onwards: Feed intake = 2 kg (for maintenance) + (0.45 × number of nursing piglets).

Watch the video on the energy requirements of sows below:

Through this article, we hope you have gained a better understanding of the energy requirements for lactating sows, helping you provide the best possible care for your herd. If you are currently raising sows, we invite you to explore KSF’s range of feed products and consult with our technical team to determine the program best suited to the specific conditions of your farm.