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The effect of litter size and littermate weight on pre-weaning performance of low-birth-weight piglets that have been cross-fostered

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 August 2016

J. G. H. English  and
G. Bilkeit
J. G. H. English
Affiliation:
Bilkei Consulting, Raubbühlstrasse 4, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
G. Bilkeit*
Affiliation:
Bilkei Consulting, Raubbühlstrasse 4, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
*
†E-mail: g_bilkei@yahoo.com
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Abstract

To evaluate the effect of litter size and littermate weight on low-birth-weight (< 1 kg) piglets that have been cross-fostered, piglets' pre-weaning performance in the following groups were compared. Group A (no. = 10), low-birth-weight piglets raised with equal number of heavy-birth-weight piglets in small (eight piglets) litters; group B (no. = 10), low-birth-weight piglets raised with equal number of heavy-birth-weight piglets in large (12 piglets) litters; group C (no. = 10), low-birth-weight piglets raised with equal number of average-birth-weight piglets in small (eight piglets) litters; D (no. = 10), low-birth-weight piglets raised with equal number of average-birth-weight piglets in large (12 piglets) litters; E (no. = 10), small (eight piglets) low-birth-weight litters; F (no. = 10), large (12 piglets) low-birth-weight litters.

Mortality of low-birth-weight piglets in large litters was greater (P < 0.001) with heavy littermates, but in small litters was no different. Weight gain of piglets until day 3 post partum was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by littermate weight and litter size, or their interaction. Weight at 21 days post partum was significantly affected by littermate weight, litter size, and their interaction. Low-birth-weight piglets in small litters had significantly higher 21-day weights in large litters (P < 0.01, P < 0.05 and P < 0.05 with littermates of low, average and heavy birth weight respectively). In large but not small litters, low-birth-weight piglets missed more nursing episodes and spent more time in teat disputes than their heavier littermates whether in heavy-birth-weight (P < 0.01), or average-birth-weight (P < 0.05) litters.

Littermate weight may affect the performance of low-birth-weight piglets due to direct competition for access to a functional teat.

Keywords

birth weightlive-weight gainmortalitypigssucking
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Science , Volume 79 , Issue 3 , December 2004 , pp. 439 - 443
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 2004

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