Ingredients should also be selected that are easily digestible. Flavors of sweeteners may be added to provide a consistent taste. High feed quality. The feed should always be fresh, never stale, dirty or contaminated. This may entail feeding lactating sows 4 to 5 times per day and whenever their feeder is empty.
Pellets give better intake than meal and wetting of feed achieves higher intakes than dry feeding.
However, wet feeding reduces the time that feed may stay in the trough and be fresh. Feed levels must match the needs of the sow at all stages of lactation. Starting after farrowing with an intake of about 4 lb. and increasing 3 lb. per day until the sows are at full feed. After the sows intake is established they should be fed to appetite. Nursing sows need to consume 8-10.5 gallons of water every day.