Table 1 Differences between management routines (W1–W3) with regard to litter size, lactation length, weight, and back fat at farrowing and weaning (Lsmeans ± S.E), and parity (number of sows)

Litter size

 Live born

12.5 ± 0.7

13.3 ± 0.8

11.8 ± 0.7

n.s.

 At grouping

10.4 ± 0.6

10.4 ± 0.7

9.8 ± 0.6

n.s.

 At weaning

9.0 ± 0.6

9.6 ± 0.6

9.6 ± 0.5

n.s.

Lactation period (days)

44.2 ± 0.6

43.6 ± 0.6

43.7 ± 0.6

n.s.

Sow weight (kg)

 At farrowing

257.7 ± 7.8

266.7 ± 8.2

256.1 ± 7.6

n.s.

 At weaning

246.8 ± 7.3^ab

263.6 ± 7.6^a

233.5 ± 7.1^b

< 0.05

Difference

− 11.2 ± 5.7^ab

− 1.0 ± 6.1^a

− 22.4 ± 5.5^b

< 0.05

Back fat (mm)

 At farrowing

17.5 ± 1.2

17.4 ± 1.3

19.0 ± 1.2

n.s.

 At weaning

14.0 ± 1.0

16.8 ± 1.1

15.2 ± 1.0

n.s.

Difference

− 3.6 ± 0.8^a

− 0.5 ± 0.9^b

− 3.8 ± 0.8^a

< 0.05

1st parity

3

2

6

n.s.

2nd parity

6

4

4

n.s.

> 2nd parity

5

7

6

n.s.