Univ. of NE Report 2011: Production Through Four Parities of Prolific

This experiment evaluated the effects of developing gilts with ad libitum access to feed to breeding age (226 days) or feed intake restriction from 123 to 226 days of age. Gilts were managed in groups of 10 per pen. Those in the restricted group were fed two meals per day so that energy intake was 75% of that of the ad libitum group. Protein, vitamins, and minerals in their diet were increased so that daily intake of these nutrients was not restricted. A total of 661 gilts of two genetic lines that differed in reproductive rate and in lean growth rate started the experiment at 60 days of age, and one half of the gilts of each line were developed with each feeding regimen.