HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Stewart, T. S. Articles by Diekman, M. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Stewart, T. S. Articles by Diekman, M. A.

Effect of Birth and Fraternal Litter Size and Cross-Fostering on Growth and Reproduction in Swine^1,2,

Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907

Abstract

Twelve hundred fifty-one pigs from six farrowings (FGRP) were classified within a FGRP by their birth litter size (BL– = below average and BL+ = above average), randomly allotted to nursing litter sizes of 6 or 12+ pigs/sow (NL– vs NL+) and reared by their own or foster dams (XF– vs XF+). Pigs were weighed at birth, 21 d and when near 105 kg. A random sample of 40 gilts per FGRP was retained for observation of pubertal age and primipara conception. Twenty-four gilts per FGRP were farrowed and rebred for a second parity. Pigs born in large litters were younger at 105 kg than those born in small litters (189 vs 196 d ± 1.4); no other differences (P > .05) were observed for BL. Pigs reared in larger litters had lower survival rate from birth to weaning (79 vs 86% ±1), had slower weight gains to 21 d of age (5.3 vs 6.6 kg ± .17) and were older at 105 kg (195 vs 190 d ± 1.4) than those reared in small litters (P < .04). Cross-fostered pigs were slower gaining to 21 d (5.9 vs 6.1 kg ± .14) and were older at 105 kg (195 vs 191 d ± 1.4) than pigs not cross-fostered pigs (P < .02). Growth beyond 105 kg and pubertal age were unaffected by any factor studied (P > .05). Although size of birth litter did not affect (P > .05) any reproductive trait, an interaction between litter size and farrowing group was detected. Gilts reared by foster dams had lower (P < .03) conception at first breeding (50 vs 72 ± 5), fewer pigs farrowed (8.4 vs 9.9 ± .4), fewer live pigs farrowed (7.5 vs 9.2 ± .4) and fewer pigs at 21 d (6.7 vs 7.5 ± .4) than those raised by their genetic dams. But cross-fostered gilts had a greater rebreeding rate (postfarrowing 95 vs 67 ± 5) than those not cross-fostered.

¹ Journal Paper No. 11,610, Purdue Agric. Exp. Sta., Dept. of Anim. Sci.

² Data derived from the Purdue Univ. Contributing Project to NC-103 Regional Project, "Genetic Improvement of Efficiency in the Production of Quality Pork."