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An evaluation of split litter suckling as a method of reducing pre-weaning mortality in pigs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 November 2017

S R Furniss ,
B Sutton  and
S J Furniss
S R Furniss
Affiliation:
Agriculture Department, UCNW, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW
B Sutton
Affiliation:
Fosse Field Farm, Broughton Lane, Stoney Stanton, Hinckley, Leics
S J Furniss
Affiliation:
ADAS, Bridgets EHF, Martyr Worthy, Winchester, Hants S0 21 1AP
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Extract

Pre-weaning mortality in pigs in the United Kingdom is estimated to be 11.6% ie the loss of around 2 million piglets every year. If only the cost of piglet production is considered this represents a loss to the industry of approximately £28 million each year. In fact the revenue foregone from finished pigs is much greater (MAFF,1985).

Over 50% of the losses of liveborn piglets occur in the first 48 to 72 hours after birth. Around 75% of mortalities are due to the two, often related causes, overlying by the dam and starvation (English and Morrison, 1984).

Mortality is inversley related to birth weight, small piglets being affected by competition from their larger litter mates and having lower energy reserves. To reduce piglet mortality care must therefore be concentrated, especially on small weakly piglets in the first 48 hours of life.

Type
Pig Production
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) , Volume 1986 , March 1986 , pp. 127
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Production 1986

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References

English, P.R. and Morrison, V. (1984), Pig News and Information 5 369–376 Google Scholar
MAFF, (1985), Improving Piglet Survival, ADAS Booklet 2501Google Scholar