The effect of dietary inclusion of sugar-beet pulp on the feeding behaviour of dry sows

Feeding behaviour of six sows receiving a diet with a high inclusion (500 g/kg) of sugar-beet pulp (SBP) was compared with that of six sows receiving a conventional cereal-based diet (control). The feeding rate was determined for both the rate of consumption of the daily food allowance (SBP or control diet) and of a test portion (of control diet) offered at different intervals after the daily food allowance. SBP sows consumed their daily food allowance more slowly than control sows, SBP sows also consumed the test portion more slowly than control sows, when this was offered immediately after the daily food allowance. Prolonging the time taken to eat the control diet, by presenting it in meal form, did not change the feeding rate of the test diet. Offering the test portion 2 h after the daily food allowance, increased the feeding rate of the test portion for both control and SBP sows, with a smaller but still significant treatment difference. Gastric distension appeared to be a major factor in regulating intake when feeding a diet containing SBP. The extent to which feeding rate could be used as an index of feeding motivation and the welfare consequences of using bulky diets for sows are discussed.