Intermittent suckling with or without comingling of non-littermate piglets before weaning improves piglet performance in the immediate post-weaning period when compared with conventional weaning

Background: In this experiment, intermittent suckling(IS) with or without the co-mingling(Co M) of piglets was studied as a method to stimulate solid feed intake and reduce post-weaning stress.Methods: Three weaning regimes using 30 multiparous sows were compared:(1) conventional weaning(CW)(n = 10 litters), where piglets had continuous access to the sow until weaning(d 0, farrowing = d-25 relative to weaning);(2) intermittent suckling(IS)(n = 10 litters), where piglets were separated from the sow for 8 h/d starting at d-7(relative to weaning); and(3) intermittent suckling with co-mingling(ISCo)(n = 10 litters) where IS started at d-7 and two litters were housed together during separation and then returned to their original sow. Ad libitum creep feed was available from d-17. At weaning pigs were housed in pens of 11 pigs, 27 pens in total. The ISCo treatment was divided in half to examine effects of different mixing strategies after weaning. Half of the ISCo litters were kept in familiar groups(ISCo F, familiar, n = 4) and the other half were mixed within treatment resulting in groups of unfamiliar pigs(ISCo NF, not familiar, n = 5), the same as IS(n = 9) and CW(n = 9) treatments.Results: The ISCo piglets ate more creep feed in the week before weaning(P 0.01), but also showed more aggressive and manipulative behaviour on first day of Co M compared with CW piglets(P 0.05). IS with or without Co M increased exploratory and play behaviour on the first day of treatment intervention(P 0.001) and increased sleeping behaviour on the last day of treatment intervention compared with CW(P 0.001). Mixing strategy at weaning had an effect on performance data with the highest growth and feed intake seen in ISCo F pigs 2 to 8 d after weaning(P 0.001). IS and ISCo NF pigs also grew faster and ate more than CW pigs 2 to 8 d after weaning(P 0.001). Post-weaning injury scores suggested reduced aggression in ISCo as evidenced by reduced redness(skin irritation)(P 0.05), and a tendency for ISCo to have less scratches than CW(P 0.1). The IS pigs slept the most and displayed less manipulative behaviours on the day of weaning and plasma haptoglobin levels remained low in IS pigs after weaning(P ≤ 0.01).Conclusions: Both intermittent suckling techniques improved production indices in the immediate post-weaning period. However, the addition of co-mingling before weaning in combination with grouping familiar pigs together after weaning improved performance in an additive manner.     

Intermittent suckling during an extended lactation period: effects on piglet behavior

The objectives of the current study were to determine how intermittent suckling (IS) affects nursing behavior, litter activity, and general behavioral patterns during lactation, and whether IS during an extended lactation period results in behavioral patterns associated with piglet distress. Intermittent suckling was applied either with 6-h separation intervals (IS6) or with 12-h separation intervals (IS12) and was compared with the conventional treatment (CT). In the CT (n = 17 litters), sows were continuously present until weaning (d 21, d 0 = farrowing). In both IS6 and IS12, sows were separated from their litter for 12 h/d, beginning at d 14 and lasting until weaning (d 43 +/- 1 d). In IS6, litters (n = 14) and sows were separated from 0800 to 1400 and from 2000 to 0200; in IS12 litters (n = 14) and sows were separated between 0800 and 2000. In IS litters, the activity pattern over the 24-h cycle was markedly changed by IS; litter activity was lower (P < 0.001) during sow absence and greater (P < 0.001) during sow presence compared with the unweaned CT litters. Moreover, both total nursing frequency (P < 0.001) and the percentage (P < 0.002) of successful nursings were reduced by IS. Although total nursing frequency was greater in IS6 compared with IS12 (on d 21 and 28), no differences in the frequency of successful nursings existed between IS6 and IS12 from d 14 onward. Eating behavior was increased shortly after the onset of IS (d 17) in both IS6 (P = 0.059) and IS12 (P < 0.001) compared with the unweaned CT litters. The IS12 litters showed more eating behavior compared with IS6 and their exploratory behavior increased in time (P < 0.001), whereas IS6 showed more nursing behavior. Aggressive or manipulative behavior of both IS treatments was similar compared with the unweaned CT, and remained relatively unaltered with time in IS12 and IS6. Weaning in the CT resulted in more manipulative (P < 0.001) and aggressive (P = 0.004) behavior compared with pre-weaning values. Intermittent suckling may contribute to adaptation to the postweaning state by stimulating eating behavior, without causing obvious behavioral distress.     

环境丰容和哺乳母猪舍内散养对仔猪断奶前后生产性能的影响

<正>我们研究了哺乳期舍饲散养母猪以及断奶前后猪栏丰容对刚断奶仔猪生产性能的影响。断奶前,将限位饲养或散养母猪(n=32)所产仔猪(n=320)饲养在丰容(稻草、木屑、泥炭和枝条)或者贫瘠的圈舍     

Leptin in sow: Influence on the resumption of cycle activity after weaning and on the piglet gain

In sows, a strong relationship exists between body condition and reproductive efficiency and milk yield. Leptin may act as a metabolic gate which permits the activation of reproductive axis: in the sow, serum concentration of leptin was positively correlated with adiposity at farrowing. An interesting aspect useful to clarify the biology of leptin, was the discovery that the placenta expresses the ob gene, the ob receptor gene and it is a site of leptin production, suggesting a possible role of the hormone in fetal growth; after birth, the placenta functions were taken over from milk, especially to the delivery of maternal hormones and growth factors to the neonate. The exact role of maternal leptin in the physiology of neonatal piglets remains to be determined. Our aim was to evaluate if maternal leptin levels at the beginning of lactation and at weaning could predict the resumption of cycle activity and/or the piglet gain. Thirty-eight Large White × Landrace pregnant sows (16 nulliparous and 22 pluriparous) were used. Blood samples were taken from sows and piglets at d 5 and d 21 after farrowing; in the same days, milk samples were taken after oxytocin injection by means of complete manual milking of all mammary glands of one side. On the basis of the blood leptin at d 5, sows were divided into 3 groups (Low: < 2.3 ng/ml; Medium: 2.3 to 2.6 ng/ml; High: > 2.6 ng/ml). Our results show a correlation at d 5 between backfat thickness and blood leptin (r = 0.342; P < 0.05). The resumption of the cyclic activity was faster in sows with a leptin level at d 5 greater than 2.3 ng/ml (P < 0.01). Milk composition at d 5 and 21 was not affected by parity and leptin. Piglet ADG was significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by sow leptin groups (0.180 kg day^− 1 for piglets from Low group and 0.224 for High group). Piglets weaned by High group sows have shown a greater blood leptin content at weaning (P < 0.01) than other groups. In conclusion we have found a significant correlation between leptin and productive and reproductive performances of pigs. This paper underlines the pleiotropic actions exerted by leptin in the productive sow.     

半胱胺在母猪及仔猪上的功效

选择第3和第4胎(比例4∶6)大白×长白杂交母猪30头,以评价强化保生灵TM对母猪产仔及乳猪生长性能和健康状况的功效。在怀孕后期和整个哺乳期的母猪料中添加0.05%或0.07%强化保生灵TM,母猪及仔猪的生产性能和健康状况在农场实际条件下都有改善;所有指标,如仔猪的出生窝质量、出生活仔数和断奶仔猪数、断奶窝质量和断奶仔猪体质量、断奶成活率和断奶仔猪体质量均匀度等,强化保生灵TM组都有显著改善。强化保生灵TM组的产奶量也显著提高,在哺乳期全期表现出母猪体质量损失改善及背膘损失减少,与对照组相比,母猪更健康,断奶后恢复更快。     

湿拌料对断奶仔猪生长性能的影响

为研究湿拌料饲喂断奶仔猪对仔猪生长性能、腹泻率以及免疫能力的影响,试验选用240头育肥猪分4组进行,每组3个重复,每个重复20头猪。其中对照组使用干料进行饲喂,试验组使用自动粥料器将饲料与水混匀后进行饲喂,粥料器分别设置为水料比不同的3个组,3个试验组水料比分别为2∶1,4∶1和6∶1,各组的猪群均自由采食、自由饮水。试验结果显示,3个试验组仔猪平均日采食量、平均日增重均高于对照组,试验组的腹泻率也低于对照组,同时相关免疫指标显示,试验组的免疫蛋白含量高于对照组,说明湿拌料能够提高断奶仔猪的生长性能,降低腹泻率,提高免疫力,当使用水料比为4∶1时,试验效果最佳。因此得出结论,使用湿拌料能够有效地提高断奶仔猪的生产性能,提高猪场生产效益,且水料比为4:1时能取得最好的生产成绩。     

酶制剂对断奶仔猪生产性能和腹泻的影响

通过饲养试验评定了复合酶制剂（蛋白酶、木聚糖酶等）和单一纤维素酶制剂对断奶仔猪生长性能和腹泻的影响。试验选用 72头体重为 9.38kg± 1.20kg的 35日龄断奶仔猪，按单因子随机区组设计方法分为对照、处理 A和处理 B 3个组，分别饲喂玉米—豆粕基础日粮、基础日粮＋ 0.1％复合酶制剂和基础日粮＋ 0.15％单一纤维素酶制剂。试验持续 21d。结果表明：添加酶制剂在一定程度上可以改善生长，提高饲料转化效率，降低腹泻率和提高猪群生长整齐度，且复合酶制剂要比单一纤维素酶制剂效果好。此外，后期试验（ 11d～ 21d），处理 A（复合酶制剂组）和处理 B（单一纤维素组）的饲料增重比与对照组相比，显著降低了 16％（ P<0.05）和7.1%。     

复合酶制剂对断奶仔猪生产性能的影响

试验选择健康的(杜×长×大)三元杂交断奶仔猪45头,体重(9.00±0.60)kg,随机分为3组。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验1组为基础日粮+0.1%复合酶制剂,试验2组以3%的次粉和2%的豆粕分别替代等量的玉米和鱼粉+0.1%复合酶制剂,探讨不同营养水平下添加复合酶制剂对仔猪生长性能的影响。结果表明,试验1组和2组与对照组相比,平均日增重分别提高6.6%和5.8%,差异显著(P<0.05);料重比下降5.93%和4.71%,差异显著(P<0.05);毛利收入增加9.62%和10.42%;仔猪腹泻状况也有所改善。说明在不同营养水平的日粮中添加复合酶对仔猪的生长性能均有一定的改善。     

Managing the lactating sow for optimal weaning and rebreeding performance.

Management of the lactating sow influences milk production and subsequent reproduction through changes in nutrient intake. The management goal during lactation is to maximize feed intake. Decreasing the effective environmental temperature, increasing the nutrient density of the lactation diet, maintaining fresh adequate supplies of feed and water, and preventing excess weight gain during the prior gestation period will increase nutrient intake during lactation. Effective environmental temperature of the lactating sow can be maintained in the thermoneutral zone by using drip cooling, increased ventilation rates and flooring materials with superior conductive properties. Sow parity, genetics, litter size, and disease level will also influence feed intake. Management practices must account for these factors and, thus, should be tailored to individual farm situations to ensure adequate nutrient intake and prevent aberrations in subsequent reproductive performance.     

芽孢杆菌制剂对断奶仔猪生长性能、胃肠道pH值及免疫器官指数的影响

本试验旨在研究芽孢杆菌制剂对断奶仔猪生长性能、胃肠道pH值及免疫器官指数的影响。选择35日龄断奶仔猪72头,按性别比例一致的原则,随机分为3个处理,每个处理3个重复,每个重复8头仔猪,每个重复为一栏。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组在基础日粮中分别添加3%芽孢杆菌制剂Ⅰ和芽孢杆菌制剂Ⅱ(每千克日粮中含有的活菌数分别为2.64×1010 cfu和1.89×1010 cfu)。试验期35 d。结果显示:与对照组相比,芽孢杆菌制剂Ⅰ、Ⅱ组对断奶仔猪生长性能均无显著影响(P>0.05);除回肠段芽孢杆菌制剂Ⅱ组pH值比对照组高外(P>0.05),其余胃肠段(胃、十二指肠段、结肠、直肠部分)各处理组pH值均比对照组pH值低(P>0.05);芽孢杆菌制剂Ⅰ与对照组相比,肝脏器官指数、胸腺器官指数、脾脏器官指数均有所提高(P>0.05);芽孢杆菌制剂Ⅱ组胸腺器官指数也高于对照组(P>0.05)。试验表明:芽孢杆菌制剂对断奶仔猪生长性能、胃肠道pH值、免疫器官指数均无显著影响。     

日粮中添加微生态制剂对断奶仔猪生产性能的影响

试验基于研究微生态制剂在断奶仔猪上的应用效果设计。试验选取3种市售微生态制剂进行效果求证和比较,结果显示,仔猪日粮中添加派富和其它两种市售微生态制剂均有助于提高断奶仔猪的生产性能,但结果有较显著差异。综合比较,添加派富优于对照组和其它两种市售微生态制剂。     

断奶后1周的仔猪腹泻程度对其生产性能的影响

跟踪观察 1 1 9头长白仔猪和 1 0 4头杜洛克仔猪断奶后 1周内的腹泻情况和 35～ 60日龄增重 ,探讨断奶后腹泻对不同品种仔猪后期生产性能的影响。根据腹泻程度将不同品种试验猪按正常、轻度、中度腹泻和严重腹泻分成 4组 ,结果表明 :在断奶后 1周内 ,正常的长白断奶仔猪的增重显著或极显著高于其余组 ,其余各组间差异不显著 ;断奶后至 60日龄内 ,正常的杜洛克断奶仔猪组的增重显著或极显著高于其余组 ,且正常的长白断奶仔猪的增重也显著或极显著高于其余组 ,其余各组间差异不显著。 2个品种的腹泻率分别为 39 5 %和 66 1 % ,腹泻频率分别为 1 2 %和2 9 % ,腹泻指数则分别为 2 1 5和 4 33。     

The association between sow and piglet behavior

Sows in modern pig industry are often housed individually in farrowing crates a few days before farrowing until weaning. These farrowing crates limit movements of the sow and therefore also limit them in expressing their behavior. These limitations may lead to distress with the sow and can result in stereotypical behaviors. Because it is possible that the general behavior of the mother sow also influences her piglets, the hypothesis of the present study was that there is an association between the general behavior of sows and the behavior of their piglets. Our results showed that there was indeed an association between the postures and activities of sows and the behavior of their piglets, not only for nursing–suckling behavior. Results also indicated that piglets prefer resting when sows are resting. When sows were standing up, piglets were running around more. Although there were indications that piglets were more at ease when sows were bar biting compared with when they were sham chewing, a specific relationship between sow stereotypical behavior and piglet behavior could not be demonstrated in the present study. Though, it should be taken in mind that relatively low frequencies of stereotypical behaviors were observed. Furthermore, it could be that not only the prevalence of a specific stereotypical behavior is important but also a specific threshold of that specific behavior should be exceeded to induce effects on the suckling piglets. Alternatively piglets could coinduce stereotypical behavior of the mother sow.     

Effects of sow-crate design on sow and piglet behavior

The effects of sow-crate design on certain behaviors of sows and piglets at farrowing and again approximately 3 wk later were evaluated with a 2 x 2 x 4 factorial arrangement of crate width (narrow [N = 55 cm] or wide [W = 64] between lowest horizontal pipes), length (short [S = 183 cm] or long [L = 198] from rump stop to front gate) and side type (lower side of sow crate "fingered" [F], "bowed" bottom bar 20 cm above the floor [B], or straight bottom bar 20 cm [S20] or 25 cm above the floor [S25]). Farrowing-crate design influenced both sow and piglet behaviors both during and immediately after parturition and during nursing-suckling bouts approximately 3 wk later. Activities of 51 sows and their piglets were videorecorded during and immediately following parturition. Sow-crate design affected neither the interval between births of successive piglets in a litter nor the frequency of standing by the sow during parturition. Latency from birth to first mammary contact (LMC) was greater with S25-sided and S sow crates, and especially with S, W crates. A significant interaction occurred between sow-crate side type and dimensions; LMC was longer when S25 sides were combined with S or W crates. Data on suckling behavior were collected from 113 litters over three successive sucklings approximately 3 wk after farrowing. Sow-crate design had no effect either on the consistency with which a piglet suckled a particular teat or teat pair or on the frequency of multiple-teat use. Piglets maintained fewer functional teats with S, S20 crates. The distribution of functional teats between rows was less symmetric with S crates. Piglets nursed with their bodies over a side bar more frequently with B- and S20-sided crates. The sow permitted her piglets to suckle while she was in a vertical stance more frequently with S and N crates, and especially with S, N crates. Sow-crate design affected important behaviors of sows and piglets both during and immediately after parturition as well as during nursing-suckling bouts about 3 wk later.     

浅谈哺乳仔猪的培育措施

由于仔猪有许多和成年猪、生长猪生理特点上的不同之处,所以不能用饲养成年猪的方法饲养仔猪.从猪场经营的角度看,仔猪培育的好坏直接关系到猪场的经济效益.从个体发育角度看,仔猪阶段的生长性能对以后的生产性能有很大的影响.因此,在哺乳仔猪阶段要从以下6个方面加以注意并采取措施,以保证仔猪的健康生长和快速增重.     

延胡索酸和芽孢杆菌对断奶仔猪生产性能及免疫机能的影响

<正>目前,国内外对于酸化剂、益生素在早期断奶仔猪日粮中的应用已有较多的研究,但是,由于试验动物的品种、年龄、试验条件、添加剂量等不同,试验的结果变异很大。以往的试验研究多集中在单一物质对仔猪生产性能的影响,研究酸化剂、益生素在相同条件下的效果比较的试验较少,尤其是对延胡索酸和芽孢杆菌的效果比较、     

Adverse effects of soluble non-starch polysaccharide (guar gum) on piglet growth and experimental colibacillosis immediately after weaning

This study evaluated the effects of adding soluble fibre to the diet of healthy weaner pigs and weaner pigs experimentally infected with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) in a model of post-weaning colibacillosis. Bodyweight gain, intestinal changes and proliferation of ETEC were measured 7 days following weaning. The basal diet consisted of pregelatinised rice fortified with animal protein. Addition of guar gum to this diet elevated the soluble fibre content from 1 to 6 per cent, and was associated with reduced bodyweight gains, increased large intestinal weights and fermentation, and increased proliferation of ETEC in the small intestine. The optimal levels and type of dietary fibre used for weaner pig diets require further evaluation.     

Improving sow productivity through management during gestation, lactation and after weaning

Number of pigs produced per sow per year is dependent upon the number of pigs born live, the number that survive to weaning and the interval between consecutive farrowings for the sow. Feeding and management of the sow during late gestation affects birth weight and amount of energy stored as glycogen and lipid in the piglet. Piglets that are heavier and that have more energy stores have a higher survival rate. Adding fat to the sow's diet during the last month of gestation or altering the sow's metabolism to direct more nutrients to the fetus are methods for increasing piglet birthweight and energy stores. Feeding the sow properly during lactation is important for maximum yield of milk and milk energy, which affects survival of pigs to weaning, and for rebreeding performance of the sow after weaning. Energy intake during lactation can be increased by adding fat to diets, and this is beneficial in situations where feed intake is insufficient to meet the sow's requirements. For example, fat supplementation during lactation is beneficial for primiparous sows and for sows lactating during hot weather. The minimum practical lactation length is about 2 wk for normal rebreeding performance of the sow. Split weaning or separation of the litter from the sow for 6 to 12 h/d will shorten the rebreeding interval or induce estrus during lactation. Administration of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin, with or without human chorionic gonadotropin, will induce estrus during lactation, and the response is better after the second week of lactation. Similar treatments at weaning will shorten the rebreeding interval.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

仔猪出生后的生理变量对其存活率及断奶前生长性能的影响

文章旨在评估一些出生后测量的生理变量对仔猪在出生第一周的存活率和断奶前生长性能的影响。试验选择612头来自3~5胎龄母猪所产的仔猪,监测氧饱和度、心率、血糖浓度、出生后0和24h直肠温度,同时记录遗传谱系、是否助产、出生顺序、性别、肤色、脐带的完整性以及出生后到第一次站立的时间。分别在仔猪出生时、7、14和21d对仔猪称重,评估仔猪产后发育情况。出生后第3、7和21天的累积死亡率分别为3.3%、5.4%和8.7%。出生时直肠体温对仔猪的生存和生长性能无影响(P>0.05)。与正常肤色仔猪和站立时间在1min前的仔猪相比,青紫肤色的仔猪和站立时间在5min以上的仔猪死亡率更高(P<0.05)。脐带断裂的仔猪在出生后3d内死亡率较高(P<0.05)。仔猪在出生后3或7d较高的死亡率发生在出生顺序>9,出生体重<1275g,血糖浓度24~30mg/dL和45~162mg/dL以及出生后24h直肠温度<38.1℃。体重<1545g、出生后24h直肠温度<38.6℃的仔猪在断奶时体重较轻的概率较高(P<0.05)。在研究因素中,皮肤发紫、站立迟缓、脐带断裂、出生顺序高、体重低、出生后24h直肠温度低、血糖浓度低均是导致仔猪出生后第一周存活力较低的因素。     

熟化软颗粒教槽料对断奶仔猪生长性能及腹泻率的影响

为研究熟化软颗粒教槽料对仔猪断奶前后生长性能及腹泻率的影响,试验选用8窝(共计84头)15日龄仔猪,随机分为对照组和试验组,分别饲喂同配方的粉状教槽料和软颗粒教槽料,每个组4个重复,每个重复1窝猪;试验分为两个阶段,分别为断奶前10d和断奶后5d,即15~25日龄和26~30日龄,仔猪在25日龄断奶。结果表明:在15~25日龄阶段,试验组仔猪平均日增重(ADG)较对照组无明显差异,平均日采食量(ADFI)增加了40.90%;在26~30日龄阶段,试验组ADG较对照组增加了12.21%,ADFI增加了34.41%;整个试验期,试验组ADFI较对照组增加了35.12%,ADG无明显差异,试验组的腹泻率也低于对照组;在仔猪断奶前后的3d,试验组的ADG和ADFI均高于对照组。综上,软颗粒教槽料在仔猪断奶后前期可有效地提高其采食量和日增重。