Association of inadequate feed intake during lactation with removal of sows from the breeding herd

Results: Higher average daily lactation feed intake, greater litter weight, and greater backfat thickness at weaning were associated with less likelihood of removal of sows from the herd before the subsequent parity. Sows consuming ≤ 3.5 kg of feed per day during the fi rst 2 weeks of lactation were more likely to be removed from the herd before the next parity. Implications: Measures to ensure adequate feed intake from the start of lactation may minimize sow removals from breeding herds. Under the conditions of this study, a sow consuming no feed on a single day during the fi rst 2 weeks of lactation has the highest odds of removal from the herd.