Multi-phase feeding of gilts: how to do it right

The breeding of modern sows is a field in constant development. Over the past 20 years the number of weaned piglets per sow per year has increased by approximately 40%. However, this rise in productivity does not come without cost. Sow mortality and culling rates have also increased, with replacement rates reaching up to 60%. On pig farms, this leads to a higher proportion of young sows, whose offspring tend to be less stable from a health perspective, and older sows that are less productive. To maximize the profitability of your herd, individual sow feeding plays a crucial role.

Gilts the start of production

Precision feeding should not begin only when gilts enter the production unit; it starts as early as weaning. Providing gilts with the right nutrients during their development phase has a direct positive impact on their production performance later in life.

For this reason, breeding organizations recommend multiphase feeding during gilt rearing. This approach allows you to adjust nutrient composition according to the animal’s developmental stage. At the same time, it enables a gradual transition between feed types, helping the gastrointestinal tract adapt smoothly to dietary changes.

Breeding companies typically advise using a three-phase feeding program to keep gilts in optimal condition with a well-regulated feeding process. Modern gilt genetics favour faster growth and higher feed efficiency, meaning that feed management must be carefully controlled to prevent excessive backfat deposition.

Recommended feeding phases:

Phase 1: 30-85 kg
Phase 2: 85-110 kg
Phase 3: >110 kg

Fancom Multiphase feeding with the Lumina 71 or 78

The Lumina 71 or 78 are the ideal feeding computers specialized in multi-phase feeding, in dry and wet feeding. They can calculate feed portions per valve, considering the number of animals and their age. Those calculations are updated daily to ensure feed matches the animals’ needs to a high precision. It supports accurate dosing and blending in combination with a mixer weigher, making sure that the feeding process is on spot. It is the most trusted computers in the sector.

To summarize in key points:

1. Phase‐specific nutrient supply

Using multi‐phase feeding, you can adjust amino acid (lysine) levels, energy and protein levels per growth phase of gilts. For example, high lysine in early phase, then lowering, exactly on what you need, to avoid excessive fat but ensure lean growth. The Lumina’s ability to recalculate daily based on animal age means feed can track the development curve reliably.

2. Feed efficiency & reduced waste

Because feed amounts and blends are more precise, you reduce overfeeding or underfeeding. That can reduce feed cost, limit wastage, and improve uniformity of growth among gilts.

3. Better control of body condition

For gilts especially, controlling growth trajectory (lean mass, fat) is important. Over‐fat gilts can have reproductive or mobility issues; under‐fed ones may have delayed development. Being able to precisely modulate feeding per group helps keep them in optimal body condition.

4. Flexibility & adaptation

If a group of gilts is developing slower (or faster) than expected, or there are health challenges, feed strategies can be adjusted (ingredient blends, amount) with less friction. Also, the ability to feed different routes/circuits allows you to handle different phenotypes or batches separately.

5. Data, monitoring & decision support

With daily updates and precise records of what feed is going to which group, you can monitor growth, feed conversion, health, etc. That supports decision-making: for example, when to inseminate, or which gilts to keep or cull based on growth and condition.

Accurate feeding with Multiphase dry feeding

Download our white paper ‘Accurate feeding with Multiphase dry feeding’ and discover how feeding according to your animals’ exact needs leads to better growth, reduced mineral excretion and immediate savings on feed.

Summarised

Modern sow productivity has made remarkable progress, but it also places higher demands on gilt management and nutrition. To build a sustainable and profitable herd, it is essential to focus on the development of gilts from the very start. Properly balanced multi-phase feeding programs support steady growth, optimal body condition, and long-term reproductive success.

With tools like Fancom’s Lumina controls, producers can take gilt feeding to the next level. Its precision blending, daily recalculation, and data-driven control make it possible to match each animal’s nutritional needs exactly reducing feed waste, improving uniformity, and enhancing overall herd performance.

By combining modern genetics with intelligent feeding technology, pig farmers can ensure that today’s gilts become tomorrow’s productive, healthy, and long-lasting sows.

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