Impact of birth weight and daily weight gain during suckling on the weight gain of weaning piglets

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of birth weight and weight gain during the suckling phase on the piglet daily weight gain during the nursery phase (21-61 days of age). Piglets (n= 534) derived from 55 first-parity sows were weighed at birth, weaning, and end of the nursery phase. The data were analyzed according to a completely randomized experimental design, with three classes of birth weight (BW) and two classes of weight gain during the suckling phase (SDWG). High BW and low SDWG piglets were 0.2kg lighter at weaning than low BW and high SDWG animals (P< 0.05). However, at the end of the nursery phase, this situation was inverted, with high BW and low SDWG piglets 2.20kg heavier (P< 0.05). Low BW and high SDWG piglets were heavier at weaning and at the end of the nursery phase than low BW and low SDWG piglets (P< 0.05). At the same time, intermediate and high BW and low and high SDWG piglets presented body weight differences at weaning (P< 0.05), but not at the end of the nursery phase (P< 0.05). Piglets with 1.25 to 2.30kg BW and low weight gain during suckling presented a partial compensatory growth during the nursery phase.

Predicting Productive Performance in Grow-Finisher Pigs Using Birth and Weaning Body Weight

“…However, regardless of the underlying causes, the lower growth of BIG–SMALL pigs shows an interesting reflection on the growth dynamics of piglets during the suckling phase. Nonetheless, in agreement with previous studies [ 22 , 23 , 24 ], BIG–SMALL pigs showed compensatory growth during the grow-finisher period, achieving a similar body weight to heavier weaning weight pigs by the end of the production cycle.…”

“…On the contrary, SMALL–BIG pigs were able to compensate their light birth weight by having higher ADG during lactation than the average of the batch. Comparisons of the findings with those of other studies [ 24 , 38 ] confirm that this subset of pigs have the potential to grow as fast as heavier pigs at birth during nursery and the grow-finisher period. Previous research pointed out that low birth weight pigs can show various degrees of compensatory growth to finally meet or exceed target slaughter BW of their heavier counterparts [ 21 , 39 , 40 ].…”

“…There is conflicting information in the scientific literature regarding SGP key performance indicators [ 2 , 20 ]. Some authors reported that light weight pigs at birth and/or at weaning have poor growth performance compared to their heavier counterparts [ 4 , 5 , 21 ], while other authors reported that light birth BW pigs are able to catch up their bigger counterparts and to have a similar BW by the end of the production cycle [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. However, previous research has not estimated cut-off values for birth and/or weaning BW to differentiate between pigs that are born small but are able to catch up with their big counterparts and those that remain small for the whole production cycle.…”

Аналіз Впливу Генетичних Та Не-Генетичних Факторів На Живу Масу Поросят При Народженні Та Відлученні

“…Невисокий рівень кореляції між PWB та PWW може бути пояснений тим, що більший вплив мала не власно PWB, а прирости до відлучення. Так, особини з високою PWB та низькими приростами при відлученні були на 0,2 кг легше, ніж тварини з низькою PWB та високими приростами [35].…”

The Effect of Duroc and Pietrain Boars on Growth Ability of Piglets

“…Growth ability of piglets from birth to slaughter is affected by many factors. In general, producers of pigs for slaughter focus on birth weight of piglets and their weaning weight (Surek et al, 2019). Weaning weight of piglets is determined by factors, such as birth weight and milk intake.…”