Relationship between feed intake, side fat thickness and special parameters of rearing performance of lactating sows

A total of 106 Camborough sows were used to study the relationship between feed intake, side fat thickness at the end of pregnancy, their change durin g lactation and special parameters of rearing performance. Sows with a high side fat thickness at the end of pregnancy realised a lower feed intake du ring lactation (r = -0.206*) but a higher loss of side fat thickness (r = - 0.499**) than sows with worse body condition. High feed intake during lacta tion stimulates a high number of weaned piglets (r = 0.299*) and the weight of weaned litter (r = 0.321*). The amount of feed intake in first week of lactation is most important for it. Generally, sows with a high predisposition for mobilisation of body fat and high intake of food during lactation realised the significant highest rear ing performance (r = 0.436***).