Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-tj2md Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-24T19:49:15.452Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Within-litter variation in the performance of piglets to three weeks of age

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

P. H. Hemsworth
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, Victoria, S. S. Cameron Laboratory, Werribee, Australia 3030
C. G. Winfield
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, Victoria, S. S. Cameron Laboratory, Werribee, Australia 3030
P. D. Mullaney
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, Victoria, S. S. Cameron Laboratory, Werribee, Australia 3030
Get access

Summary

In a series of observations the association between within-litter variation in growth performance of piglets to 3 weeks of age and other parameters was examined in 28 litters. Growth rate was correlated significantly with birth weight and milk intake of the piglet. Birth order and location of the preferred teat did not influence significantly the milk intake or growth performance. In a second series of observations the individual behaviour of the piglets immediately after birth was examined in relation to the within-litter variation in growth performance to 3 weeks of age in three litters. The amount of time that each teat was sucked during the period of continuous suckle was positively correlated with the growth performance of the piglet which preferred the teat at day 21 of lactation.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1976

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Allen, A. D. and Lasley, J. F. 1958. The location of mammae on the sow in relation o t suckling preference of pigs. J. Anim. Sci. 17: 1223 (Abstr.).Google Scholar
Barber, R. S., Braude, R. and Mitchell, K. G. 1955. Studies on milk production of Large White pigs. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 46: 97118.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Csire, L. and Kxosz, T. 1965. [The milk production of the various teats of the sow and the amount of milk sucked in relation to pig development.] Allattenyesztes 13: 335344.Google Scholar
Donald, H. P. 1937. The milk consumption and growth of suckling pigs. Emp. J. exp. Agric. 5: 349360.Google Scholar
A/S N. Foss Electric. 1967. Pro-Milk Mark 2. Instruction Manual. A/S N. Foss Electric, Hillered, Denmark.Google Scholar
Gill, J. C. and Thomson, W. 1956. Observations on the behaviour of suckling pigs. Br. J. Anim. Behav. 4: 4651.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hartman, D. A., Ludwick, T. M. and Wilson, R. F. 1962. Certain aspects of lactation performance in sows. J. Anim. Sci. 21: 883886.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hartsock, T. G. and Graves, H. B. 1970. Ontogeny of the nursing order in newborn pigs. J. Anim. Sci. 31: 174 (Abstr.).Google Scholar
Höpler, E. V. 1943. [Do piglings really always suck the same teat?] Z. Schweinez. 50: 147148.Google Scholar
Lodge, G. A. 1957. The utilization of dietary energy by lactating sows. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 49: 200210.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lodge, G. A. and McDonald, I. 1959. The relative influence of birth weight, milk consumption and supplementary food consumption upon the growth rates of suckling piglets. Anim. Prod. 1: 139144.Google Scholar
McBride, G., James, J. W. and Wyeth, G. S. F. 1965. Social behaviour of domestic animals. VII. Variation in weaning weight in pigs. Anim. Prod. 7: 6774.Google Scholar
Milk Industry Foundation. 1959. Laboratory Manual. Methods of analysis of milk and its products. 3rd ed. Milk Industry Foundation, Washington, D.C.Google Scholar
Pond, W. G., Van Vleck, L. D. and Hartman, D. A. 1962. Parameters for milk yield and for percents of ash, dry matter, fat and protein in sows. J. Anim. Sci. 21: 293297.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Siegel, S. 1956. Nonparametric Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences. McGraw-Hill, London.Google Scholar
Smith, D. M. 1959. The yield and composition of milk from sows fed varying proportions of separated milk and concentrate. N.Z. Jl. agric. Res. 2: 10571070.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wyeth, G. S. F. and McBride, G. 1964. Social behaviour of domestic animals. V. A note on suckling behaviour in young pigs. Anim. Prod. 6: 245247.Google Scholar