Productive behavior of pregnant sows supplemented with Morus alba

The goal was to evaluate technical and economically feasibility of use of mulberry foliage in pregnant sows feeding and the effect on lactation productivity. Twelve pregnant multiparous sows were assigned during gestation to three dietary treatments to evaluate mulberry supplementation from d 0 of gestation until farrowing. Sows were fed either Diet 1) a standard level of conventional feed (2,0 kg), or Diet 2) 2,0 kg of conventional feed plus mulberry ad libitum or Diet 3) 1,5 kg of conventional feed plus mulberry ad libitum. During a 21-d lactation period all sows were allowed ad libitum access to feed. Mulberry intake during gestation was similar (P>0,05), with 1,22 vs 1,19 kg d –1 for D2 and D3, respectively. However, in first 76 d and in late gestation mulberry intake was different (P<0,05) with 1,8 vs 0,95 and 1,50 vs 1,67 kg d-1 for D2 and D3, respectively. No differences (P>0,05) were found in changes in backfat thickness during gestation. At birth, the litter size and the average piglet body weight (BW) were not affected by diet. BW of piglets at weaning and litter BW gain between birth and weaning were different (P<0,05) with 5,40b, 6,30a and 6,07a and 38,95b, 40,55b and 46,48a kg for D1, D2 and D3, respectively. Feeding cost of D3 during gestation was 22,58% lesser in relation with conventional feeding. Partial substitution of conventional feeding with mulberry is technical and economically feasible and mulberry is a real alternative to decrease production cost.