Effect of Restricted Suckling on Growth Performance and Behaviour of Crossbred Piglets

Abstract

Present study was planned to acclimatize the pre-weaned piglet for stress tolerance through restricted suckling with or without mother’s visibility for improved piglet and through stress tolerance. For this, 244 piglets from 36 pregnant crossbred sows (Landrace × Desi), with 18 sows each, during summer season having 147 piglets and during winter season having 97 piglets were used. Eighteen sows along with their piglets were randomly distributed in 3 treatment groups viz. T0 (No restriction), T1 (restricted suckling with mother’s visibility) and T2 (restricted suckling without mother’s visibility) for the above said study for 3 months. A total of 15 minutes time was allotted for suckling of piglets in T1 and T2 group. Different records pertaining to body weight, feed intake, behaviour and growth parameter of piglets were recorded up to 3 months of age. At the end of the study period, body weight of piglets showed non-significant difference between the treatment groups. Grower feed intake during post-weaning (after 42 days) period showed significant difference (P less than 0.01) during winter season with highest value observed in T2 group. In rest of the period, non-significant difference was observed for all the treatment groups both during summer and winter season. Higher values for suckling behaviour was recorded for T1 and T2 groups than T0. From the present study, restricted suckling without mother’s visibility may be recommended at farm level for quick adaptation of piglets after weaning.