Written by Kobe Lannoo, Global Lead Swine
It is widely known that intestinal health is one of the key drivers for successful swine production. Plenty of studies have been conducted on gut health in piglets, especially around weaning. However, when talking about sows, gut health is at least as important, yet much less discussed among producers, veterinarians, and nutritionists. Scoring the feces of sows on a regular basis can give a lot of information that can be used by nutritionists and veterinarians to adapt their strategies to obtain better production parameters.
Fecal scoring: limit the subjectivity
Over time, multiple authors have described various fecal scoring systems for different production phases in pigs without reaching a universal consensus (Pedersen S. et al., 2011. Pedersen S. et al., 2013. Eriksen et al., 2023. Eriksen et al., 2024. and 2013., Pons A.M. et al 2025). Visual scoring of manure will always be a subjective parameter, however by establishing an appropriate classification system, deviations between observers can be reduced and results become more standardized. Agrifirm has developed a very practical fecal scoring system that helps technicians better evaluate the actual situation of each farm, barn, or in some cases, individual animal. This system reduces the costs and waiting time associated with other objective methods, such as analyzing the dry matter content of feces.
Once the fecal scoring is executed, the evaluations and analysis can be made. Through good discussions between farm managers, veterinarians, and nutritionists, a farm specific action plan can be developed. As a result, corrective measures are prioritized and implemented where and when needed.
The farrowing house: the most critical moment for scoring sow manure
Due to physiological, nutritional, and managerial changes around farrowing, the intestinal health of sows is under a lot of pressure, making this the most important phase to perform manure scoring.
- There is a diet change from gestation (low energy, fiber-rich) to lactation (high energy, low fiber).
- Feed intake on the day of farrowing is often heavily restricted.
- Sows move from the gestation to the lactation barn, which often means going from grouped housing to individual cages.
- A big hormonal shift occurs to induce farrowing, and initiate colostrum and milk production.
All these changes affect the gut and lead to slower transit time around farrowing. Due to reduced intestinal peristalsis, more water from the digesta is absorbed in the colon. This directly influences the percentage of dry matter in the feces and their consistency, often leading to constipation. Stool with a lower moisture content is harder, damaging the intestinal mucosa and causing intestinal lesions. On the fecal scoring system, all this is translated into extremely dry and hard stool, with rounded shapes that are almost impossible to deform when pressure is applied (Picture 1). In some extreme cases, the feces may even be covered by a yellowish-white layer (fibrin).
In addition, a slower transit, or in extreme cases a standstill, of the intestinal content impacts the microbiome of the sow. It is known that reduced intestinal motility can lead to bacterial overgrowth (dysbiosis), with a large release of endotoxins and a high level of oxidative stress. The latter two factors are correlated with a local inflammatory reaction of the intestine. The imbalance in the immune system or microbiome can easily lead to increased susceptibility to various diseases (Chassaing B. et al., 2014), such as Mastitis-Metritis-Agalactia (MMA), uterus infections, impaired milk production, or discomfort that results in reduced feed intake.
Key factors to optimize gut health in the farrowing house
Many factors can help improve the quality and consistency of the feces in the farrowing house. When needed, an Agrifirm specialist can perform a full farm audit followed by farm-specific action planning. Even though gut health can be subject to a long list of parameters, some of the most important takeaways are listed below:
Water
The provision of fresh water of optimal organoleptic, physicochemical, and microbiological quality, available ad libitum, is essential to ensure good intestinal health and optimal feed intake. A sow in lactation can drink up to 35 liters of water a day; therefore, a drinking system that guarantees a minimum supply of 3-4 liters per minute and is easily accessible must also be provided. Providing extra water between feedings, soaking the feed immediately after administration are strategies that will help improve consumption and productivity. In addition to water quantity, water quality should be a constant focus. Physicochemical and microbiological analysis of water at the source, farm entrance, and end of the water line must be done at least twice per year, according to local regulations.
Management and housing
The increase in uterine and fetal volume during the final stage of gestation and peripartum compromises intestinal peristalsis and promotes constipation. However, sows housed in pens with free farrowing crates get more exercise, promoting intestinal motility and peristalsis. In addition, sows with access to enrichment material, such as straw, reduce stress levels, improve their well-being, and decrease the risk of constipation thanks to the extra fiber intake. It is also important to note that changes in facilities, such as the transition from gestation to the farrowing room, can cause stress, reduce feed and/or water intake, and increase the risk of constipation. These changes should therefore be handled with caution, and the animals should be helped and given time to adapt to the feeding systems if these are different from those in the previous phase.
Feeding schedule
Feed restriction around farrowing, especially on the day of farrowing, is a practice still commonly seen on farms. However, several studies have shown that this is not optimal and can negatively impact both farrowing time and colostrum yield (Takele et al., 2021).
Therefore, it is better to continue feeding the sows regularly and sufficiently during the transition. Work with individually adjusted feeding curves and divide the daily ration into several meals to promote consumption. Feed intake in hot climates is often a challenge; in this case, it is better to avoid the hottest hours of the day and increase the feedings during the night and early morning.
Feed formulation
Probably the most used practice to influence feces quality is feed formulation. Especially the use of fiber in the diet can have a major impact. Fiber promotes intestinal peristalsis, improves intestinal transit, reduces the risk of constipation, and improves fecal consistency. In addition, fiber also reduces the duration of labor, lowering the risk of hypoxia, the need for assistance during birth, and stillborn piglets.
On the other hand, increasing fiber can also create a feeling of satiety and reduce the feed intake. A problem that is particularly important under heat stress. This issue can partly be overcome by balancing soluble and insoluble fiber sources. Soluble fiber sources are rapidly fermented by resident microbes in the distal small intestine and large intestine, increase digesta viscosity, reduce digesta passage rate through the intestine, and can decrease feed intake due to increased satiety. Insoluble fiber sources, by contrast, pass through the intestine undigested, increase passage rate and fecal bulking; however, monogastric species have a limited capacity to ferment insoluble fiber as they lack specific microbial species.
Addition of health supplements
Three important consequences of constipation around farrowing are impaired immunity and colostrum production, inflammation due to endotoxicosis, and oxidative stress on the intestinal mucosa.
In addition to the above measures, Agrifirm offers the possibility to add some efficient functional ingredients to support sows during this critical period, thereby increasing the performance both of the sow and her progeny.
- C-Vita: This unique blend of synergistic MCFAs offers the sow strong immunity support needed for an optimal colostrum quality. Thanks to a better colostrum supply, a direct effect on pre-weaning mortality can be seen, especially in high prolific sows and gilts.
- Vitanox: A powerful combination of polyphenols with strong anti-oxidative effects can relieve some of the stress induced effects around farrowing. Especially in tropical conditions and situations where sows are facing high-stress environments this functional ingredient will show its effects. First observed results in the stable include increased voluntary feed intake and overall improved well-being of the animals.
- Vitafix Spectrum: To overcome the inflammatory effects of endotoxins, Agrifirm has developed an endotoxin binder with proven in vivo binding capabilities. Thanks to Vitafix Spectrum, sows start milk production faster, suffer less from MMA and uterine infections, and achieve higher litter weights, a key driver for farm profitability.
In conclusion, it is safe to say that sow manure is one of the most important indicators of sow health in the farrowing house. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to monitor it well, using tools that minimize subjectivity. Especially the farrowing house is the place where manure optimization should be a top priority to ensure a smooth farrowing process and an optimal start to milk production. Once measured, many corrective actions can be taken to optimize and improve the situation. In addition to managerial and veterinary interventions, nutrition also plays an important role. Formulating with the right, high-quality raw materials, combined with a strong additive concept can make the difference and support farmers in their quest to a profitable and sustainable production.
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