This study was conducted to know the effect of dietary folic acid supplementation on nutrient intake and digestibility in sows. A total of 18 Landlly crossbred sows (Landrace × Desi) were randomly distributed into three groups (T0, T1 and T2) of six sows each in a completely randomized design (CRD). The sows in the control (T0) group were fed with basal diet (folic acid @ 1.3 mg/kg) as per NRC (1998). Whereas, sows in T1 and T2 groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with folic acid @ 15 mg/kg throughout gestation and both gestation and lactation, respectively. No significant effect (P>0.05) was observed on body weight (kg) of pregnant sows due to supplementation. The fortnight DMI (g/d) during gestation phase did not differ (P>0.05) among the groups. However, during lactation phase significant increase (P<0.01) was observed in folic acid supplemented groups (T1 and T2). No significant supplementation effect was observed on the intake and digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, nitrogen-free extract, and gross energy during the gestation phase. Based on the observations in this study it could be concluded that supplementation of folic acid @ 1.3 mg and 15 mg/kg diet throughout gestation and lactation period didn’t have any effect on nutrient intake and digestibility in gestating and lactating sows

Digestibility, Folic acid, Gestating sow, Lactating sow, Nutrient intake

Gestating sows’ average body weight (kg) and metabolic bodyweight during digestion trial were comparable among the groups. No significant change was observed in the intake and digestibility of DM, OM, CP, CF, EE, NFE and GE during the gestation phase due to supplementation. Hence, based on the observations in this study it could be concluded that supplementation of folic acid @ 1.3 mg and 15 mg/kg diet throughout gestation and lactation period didn’t have any effect on nutrient intake and digestibility in gestating and lactating sows

Suresh R., A.K. Verma, Manobhavan M. and E. Kalaiselvan (2025). Effect of Dietary Folic Acid Supplementation on Nutrient Intake and Digestibility in Sows. Biological Forum, 17(4): 108-112