[Energy and nitrogen metabolism of pregnant and lactating sows and suckling piglets. 7. Energy and nitrogen metabolism in suckling piglets].

In 23 litters, each with 10 or 11 piglets, the energy and nitrogen metabolism was measured on base of 218 body analyses in suckling piglets and on base of 96 total metabolism experiments in early weaned piglets, combined with 134 body analyses. The studies were carried out as part of a complex experimental program for the factorial derivation of energy and protein requirement of piglets and for measuring the milk production of lactating sows. The energy maintenance requirement of suckling piglets (sow's milk nutrition, I) and of early weaned piglets (sow's milk replacement on the basis of cow's milk, II) amounted to 468 (I) and 451 kJ (II) metabolizable energy per kg LW0.75 . d, the utilization of of metabolizable energy for energy deposition to 70(I) and 72% (II). With mean live weight gains (LWG) of 161 and 162 g per animal and day the cost per kg LWG amounted to 19.9 and 20.4 MJ gross energy, 19.3 and 19.4 MJ metabolizable energy as well as 14.4 and 14.2 MJ net energy-fat in suckling and early weaned piglets resp. The mean energy content of the LWG amounted to 8.9 (I) and to 7.9 MJ/kg (II).