The influence of litter size on milk production of sows

Abstract

Thirty sows were allocated at their first farrowing to five litter size treatments. Litter sizes of six, eight, 10,12 and 14 were established by cross-fostering within 48 h post partum. Milk yield (Y, kg/day) of sows was linearly related to litter size (L) and was described by the equations; Y = 5-98 (s.e. 0-48) + 0-689 (s.e. 0-046)L, R 2 = 0-99; residual s.d. = 0-29; P < 0-001 and Y = 8-20 (s.e. 0-46) + 0-324 (s.e. 0-044)1, R 2 = 0-95; residual s.d. = 0-28; P < 0-002 for early (day 10 to day 14) and late (day 24 to day 28) lactation, respectively. The composition of milk from sows suckling various litter sizes remained relatively stable but suckling frequency in early lactation increased linearly in response to increased litter size. Litter size significantly affected the average growth rate of individual piglets; piglet growth rate from birth to weaning at 28 days of age decreased from 283 giday to 202 giday in response to increasing litter size from six to 14. The relationships between milk yield, average piglet growth rate and litter size indicate that the number of functional glands is the major factor influencing milk yield of sows. Increasing the number of functional glands by increasing litter size more than compensates for any decrease in milk output from individual glands.

Comparison of the behaviour of piglets raised in an artificial rearing system or reared by the sow

“…In line with this, Auldist et al (1998) found a decrease in average growth rate of piglets until weaning when litter size increased from 6 to 14.…”

“…As production of colostrum is not influenced by litter size, less colostrum is provided per piglet in larger litters (Devillers et al, 2007). And even though milk production in total increases as litter size increases (Auldist et al, 1998;Kim et al, 1999;King, 2000), milk intake per individual piglet also decreases in large litters (Kim et al, 1999;King, 2000).…”

Variability of colostrum yield and colostrum intake in pigs

“…Contrary to what is seen with milk production (Auldist et al, 1998), litter size did not affect colostrum yield, thereby confirming the absence of a litter size effect on piglets' growth during the first postnatal days (Milligan et al, 2001;Le Dividich et al, 2004). Piglets from larger litters therefore have less colostrum available on an individual basis.…”

Intergenerational effects of birth weight on glucose tolerance and reproductive performance

“…As piglets born to G1 L and G1 N mothers grew at approximately the same rate, it is likely that milk production may have been greater in the G1 N animals as they reared more young. There is a strong litter correlation between milk yield and litter size and it has been proposed that sows are capable of producing higher yields in early lactation if more milk is removed (Elsley et al, 1971;Auldist et al, 1998;King, 2000).…”