Effect of Fermented Tamarind Seeds (FTS) Supplementation to Sows during Estrus to Lactation Period on Sow Reproduction Performances and Piglet Mortality at Weaning

Abstract

Twenty four first weaned sows Duroc × Landrace × Veredeld Duits Landvarken (VDL), average live weight 135-190 kg (11% coefficient of variation (CV)) were allocated to four treatments (six animals/group/treatment) in a randomized block design to evaluate the effect of fermented tamarind seeds (FTS) supplementation during estrus to lactation period on the performance of sows and weaned piglets. There were four treatment diets offered: basal diet (T0), T0 + 5% FTS (T1), T0 + 7.5% FTS (T2) and T0 + 10% FTS (T3). Supplementing sows with 5%-10% FTS increased daily feed intake at all stages and 10% FTS supplementation level performed the highest (P < 0.05) at all stages of pregnancy. Litter size increased 1-2 piglets/sow, piglets born alive increased 1.3-3 piglets/sow, piglet birth weight increased 10-160 g/piglet and weaned piglets increased 3.3-5.3 piglets/sow, while mortality was reduced of 18%-27% per sow. Inclusion of FTS at level of 10% in the diet of sows had the highest daily live weight gain of piglets during four suckling weeks (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference (P < 0.05) among treatments on daily live weight gain of piglets at week 1-2. This study revealed that supplementing sows with FTS during estrus to lactation period improved sows’ and piglets’ performances, and reduced piglets’ mortality up to 29% at weaning.