Maternal behaviour and performance in first-parity outdoor sows

When sows and their litters are kept outdoors, much of the responsibility for the litter is shifted from the herdsman to the sow compared to when the sows are kept indoors. Therefore, the maternal ability, including maternal behaviour, is believed to be important in outdoor piglet production. The aim of this study was to describe maternal traits in conventionally bred first-parity sows kept outdoors. Nursing behaviour, sow activity, sow body reserves, litter size and piglet growth were studied in 40 first-parity sows during a seven week long lactation. The sows were kept in groups outdoors. Sow activity (lying down or active) and nursing behaviour (nursing frequency, nursing duration and nursing terminator) were recorded on videotapes at four days post partum (pp) and directly observed at four and six weeks pp. Cross suckling was observed at four and six weeks pp. Sows were weighed and measured for backfat depth five days before farrowing, two weeks pp and at weaning seven weeks pp. Piglets were weighed at four days pp, at two weeks pp and at weaning. We concluded that sow nursing behaviour and activity are individual characteristics repeatable within sows' late lactation. Less active sows are more available for suckling. Light and thin sows have an earlier and more progressed weaning process than heavier, fatter sows. A significant positive relation was found between sow appetite in early lactation and piglet growth until weaning. Sow nursing behaviour is not important for piglet growth when sows and piglets are held in groups, piglets have access to sow feed and piglets are weaned as late as at seven weeks of age.     

Epidemiological studies of piglet diarrhoea in intensively managed Danish sow herds. II. Post-weaning diarrhoea

This study comprised 48,931 litters in 89 sow herds. During the study (1976-82) weaning age decreased from approx. 42 days to approx. 30 days. The mean incidence of post-weaning diarrhoea was 6.0% of litters weaned, with little variation by year but with considerable variation among herds. Within the individual herd increased incidence occurred over limited periods, probably associated with specific infections. Litters with diarrhoea during the suckling period had increased risk of post-weaning diarrhoea. The incidence of post-weaning diarrhoea increased with litter size at weaning. Thus, a litter of 11-12 piglets at weaning had 1.2 times higher risk than litters with 8-10 piglets. In contrast to pre-weaning diarrhoea, there was no association between parity of the sow and diarrhoea in the litter after weaning. Litters weaned below 2 weeks of age had a 2-fold risk of developing diarrhoea after weaning and a 2.4-fold higher mortality rate than did litters weaned at 6-7 weeks. Similarly, litters weaned at an individual piglet weight below 3 kg bodyweight had a 3-fold higher risk of developing diarrhoea after weaning and a 5-fold higher mortality rate than did pigs from litters weaned at a bodyweight of 7-8 kg. The incidence of post-weaning diarrhoea decreased with increasing herd size. Piglets from litters with post-weaning diarrhoea had reduced weight gains after weaning and were 2.3 days older at 25 kg bodyweight than piglets from non-diarrhoeic litters. Likewise, diarrhoea after weaning was associated with an increased incidence of diseases of the skin and respiratory tract. Thus the risk of contracting respiratory disease was 4 times greater in diarrhoeic litters.     

Can outdoor rearing and increased weaning age compensate for the removal of in-feed antibiotic growth promoters and zinc oxide?

This experiment determined whether delayed weaning and outdoor rearing could compensate for the removal of antimicrobials from piglet diets. One hundred and sixty litters of Large White (75%) × Landrace (25%) pigs on the same unit were reared either indoors (In) or outdoors (Out) and weaned at either 4 or 6 weeks of age into flat deck accommodation onto diets supplemented with either no antibiotic growth promoters and no zinc oxide (Un) or 40 mg avilamycin and 3.1 g zinc oxide/kg diet (S). Piglet performance was monitored to 8 weeks of age. A proportion of litters (25%) were sampled to investigate the effect of the different treatments on gut development. Mortality was higher in the first 24 h of life for Out piglets which subsequently grew faster to weaning. This was not simply due to smaller litter size as total litter gain was higher in outdoor litters. All piglets responded positively to antimicrobial supplementation post weaning regardless of rearing environment and weaning age and this was the biggest influence on post weaning performance. Outdoor piglets grew faster than indoor piglets post weaning (295 versus 242 ± 8.6 g/pig/day for the first 2 weeks post weaning, P < 0.001) and over the same period 6 week weaned piglets grew faster than 4 week weaned (324 versus 213 ± 8.6 g/pig/day, P < 0.001), however, when compared at similar age, 6 week weaning was detrimental to piglet growth with average daily gain (adg) from 4 to 8 weeks of age 310 g/pig/day versus 329 for 4 week weaned piglets (P = 0.001). At 8 weeks of age the outdoor 6 week weaned unsupplemented piglets had similar average weight to the indoor 4 week weaned supplemented piglets indicating the potential of this combination to counteract the need for antimicrobials, however the benefit was due to enhanced weaning weight not to improved post weaning performance.     

窝产活仔数和初生重与仔猪早期断奶重及成活率的相关性研究

为研究猪窝产活仔数与初生仔猪个体重对21日龄早期断奶仔猪个体重及成活率的相关性,特选择一大型规模猪场2～6胎母猪在1个月内所产的118窝计1350头仔猪作为试验对象,要求所有初生仔猪均由亲本母猪带仔哺乳,且按窝产活仔数不同（6～17头）分组测定仔猪初生个体重和21日龄早期断奶仔猪窝个体均重,并观察断奶成活率,同时对其相关性状作方差及回归分析。结果表明,不同组间初生仔猪窝个体均重和21日龄早期断奶仔猪窝个体均重及断奶成活率差异显著（P〈0．05）;窝产活仔数对初生仔猪窝个体均重和21日龄早期断奶仔猪窝个体均重及断奶成活率呈极显著的负相关（R=-0．802、-0．851、-0．698,P〈0．01）;初生仔猪窝个体均重对21日龄早期断奶仔猪窝个体均重及断奶成活率呈极显著的正相关（R=0．837、0．741,P〈0．01）。试验结果表明,窝产活仔数越多,初生仔猪个体就越小,早期断奶也越轻,成活率也低;初生仔猪个体越大,早期断奶就越重,成活率也越高。只要通过科学合理的方法,适当控制猪窝产活仔数并提高初生仔猪个体重,能有效提高早期断奶仔猪的生长速度,并可获得更好的经济效益。     

Effects of intermittent suckling and creep feed intake on pig performance from birth to slaughter

An experiment was conducted to determine if the improved creep feed intake observed during intermittent suckling (IS) is important for postweaning performance. Therefore, creep feed intake of litters was assessed, and within litters, eaters and noneaters were distinguished using chromic oxide as an indigestible marker. Batches of sows were suckled intermittently (IS, 7 batches; n = 31) or continuously (control, 7 batches; n = 31). In the IS group, litters were separated from the sow for a period of 12 h/d (0930 to 2130), beginning 11 d before weaning. Litters were weaned at 4 wk of age. Litters had free access to creep feed from 1 wk of age onward. Five days after weaning, the piglets were moved as a litter to weanling pens. At 8 wk of age, 2 barrows and 2 gilts were randomly chosen from each litter and moved to a finishing facility. Feed intake was improved by IS during the last 11 d of lactation (IS, 284 +/- 27 vs. control, 83 +/- 28 g/piglet; P < 0.001) and after weaning during the first (IS, 201 +/- 24 vs. control, 157 +/- 25 g x piglet(-1) x d(-1); P < 0.05) and second (IS, 667 +/- 33 vs. control, 570 +/- 35 g x piglet(-1) x d(-1); P < 0.05) wk. Thereafter, no differences were found to slaughter. Weaning BW was lower in IS litters (IS, 7.1 +/- 0.01 vs. control, 8.1 +/- 0.01 kg/piglet; P < 0.05), but 7 d after weaning BW was similar (IS, 8.5 +/- 0.2 vs. control, 8.7 +/- 0.2 kg/piglet; P = 0.18), and no differences were found to slaughter. The percentage of eaters within a litter was not increased by IS during lactation (IS, 23 +/- 4.5% vs. control, 19 +/- 4.1%; P = 0.15). Weaning BW did not differ between eaters and noneaters (eater, 7.7 +/- 0.1 vs. noneater, 7.5 +/- 0.08 kg/piglet; P = 0.63). From 1 until 4 wk after weaning, piglets that were eaters during lactation had heavier BW than noneaters (eater, 20.3 +/- 0.3 kg vs. noneater, 18.2 +/- 0.2 kg; P < 0.05). The influence of eating creep feed during lactation on BW and ADG and the influence of suckling treatment never showed an interaction. We conclude that IS increases ADFI during lactation on a litter level and improves ADG in the first week and ADFI in the first and second weeks after weaning. No long-term effects on ADFI or ADG were observed throughout the finishing period. In the current experiment, in which creep feed intake was low, the percentage of eaters within a litter was not increased, suggesting that creep feed intake of piglets that were already eating was stimulated by IS. Further, piglets that were eaters during lactation had heavier BW up to 4 wk after weaning.     

Assessment of zinc and copper status in weaned piglets in relation to dietary zinc and copper supply

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of weaning and the effect of increasing dietary zinc concentrations on the zinc and copper status of weaned piglets (study 1) and to study the effect of high concentrations of dietary zinc and/or copper on zinc and copper status of weaned piglets (study 2). Study 1 included 54 piglets (six litters of nine piglets). One piglet from every litter was killed 1 day before weaning. The remaining 48 piglets were allocated at weaning (28 days) to four dietary zinc treatments (100, 250, 1000 or 2500 ppm) and subsequently killed 1-2, 5-6 or 14-15 days after weaning. Study 2 included 48 piglets (six litters of eight piglets) allocated to four dietary treatments, consisting of low or high dietary zinc (100 or 2500 ppm) in combination with low or high dietary copper (20 or 175 ppm). All piglets in study 2 were killed 5-7 days after weaning. In both studies, the trace mineral status was assessed by zinc and copper concentrations and alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity in plasma and mucosal tissue. In study 2, lymphocyte metallothionein (MT) mRNA and intestinal mucosa MT mRNA concentrations were included as zinc status markers. The results showed that the zinc status, measured as zinc in plasma and mucosa, was not affected by weaning of the piglets. Plasma copper concentrations decreased during the first 2 weeks after weaning. High dietary copper concentrations did not affect the concentration of copper in plasma, but increased the concentration of copper in mucosa and the concentration of zinc in plasma. The dietary zinc treatments increased the zinc concentration in plasma as well as the zinc and MT mRNA concentration in mucosa. Lymphocyte MT mRNA concentrations did not reflect the differences in dietary zinc supplementation.     

补料日龄对哺乳期仔猪消化酶活性的影响研究

为研究补料日龄对哺乳期仔猪消化道主要消化酶活性的影响,试验采用单因素完全随机试验设计,选取母猪分娩时间相差在48h之内、泌乳性能良好、产仔数接近的12窝仔猪,分4个处理组,分别于仔猪出生后7、10、15日龄和21日龄开始补料。结果表明:各试验组仔猪胃凝乳酶活性呈先升高后降低趋势,15日龄时仔猪胃凝乳酶活性达到最高(P<0.05);10日龄补料组到28日龄断奶时胃蛋白酶活性与胰蛋白酶活性最高(P<0.05);7日龄与10日龄补料组仔猪28日龄断奶时脂肪酶与淀粉酶活性最高(P<0.05)。本试验证明,仔猪出生后10日龄补料对28日龄断奶仔猪消化酶活性影响最小。     

Within-litter variation of birth weight in hyperprolific Czech Large White sows and its relation to litter size traits, stillborn piglets and losses until weaning

Data from about 2900 litters (approximately 40,000 piglets) originating from 1063 Czech Large White hyperprolific sows were analyzed. The phenotypic and genetic relations between litter size traits, piglet mortality during farrowing and from birth to weaning and several statistics referring to the distribution of the birth weight within litter were analyzed. All genetic parameters were estimated from multi-trait animal models including the following factors: mating type (natural service or insemination), parity, linear and quadratic regression on age at first farrowing (1st litter) or farrowing interval (2nd and subsequent litters), herd-year-season effect and additive-genetic effect of the sow. The phenotypic correlations of the mean birth weight with the total number of piglets born and piglets born alive were − 0.30. Traits describing the variability of the birth weight within litter (range, variance, standard deviation, coefficient of variation) were mostly positively correlated with litter size. A statistically significant phenotypic correlation (− 0.09 to − 0.15) between mean birth weight and losses at birth and from birth to weaning was found. The heritability for the number of piglets born, piglets born alive and piglets weaned was around 0.15. The number of stillborn piglets had only a very low heritability less than 0.05, whereas the heritability for losses from birth to weaning was 0.13. The heritabilities of the mean, minimal and maximal birth weight were 0.16, 0.10 and 0.10, respectively. The heritability for all statistics and measures referring to the variability of the birth weight within litter was very low and did never exceed the value of 0.05. An increase in litter size was shown to be genetically connected with a decrease in the mean piglet birth weight and an increase in the within-litter variability of birth weight. Selection on litter size should be accompanied by selection on mortality traits and/or birth-weight traits. Losses from birth to weaning and the minimal birth weight in the litter were proposed as potential traits for a selection against piglet mortality.     

补铁对高原瘦肉型母系猪白系哺乳仔猪的影响

选用高原瘦肉型母系猪白系哺乳仔猪25窝261头,随机按窝分为两组。试验组13窝139头仔猪2日龄,采用深部肌肉注射的方法,头均补给右旋糖苷铁1ml（含铁100mg）,对照组12窝122头不注射,在相同条件下哺乳至35日龄断奶。结果表明,试验组窝均成活8．6头,比对照组（7．8头）多0．8头,差异显著（P〈0．05）;断奶个体重分别为7．2kg和7．0kg差异不显著（P〉0．05）;窝均收入试验组比对照组提高13．3％,效益明显。     

3周龄与6周龄断奶仔猪生产性能的比较

选9窝约长北3元杂交仔猪(116头)随机分成3组、第1、2组3周龄断奶,分别饲喂试验日粮和代乳料日粮。第3组6周龄断奶作为对照。6周龄到20公斤体重阶段饲喂同一营养水平的仔猪料,以比较3者的生产性能。试验结果表明:21—42日龄阶段,由于断奶应激,试验组日增重(ADG)明显低于对照组。42日龄以后至达20公斤体重阶段试验组的日增 重与对照组和代乳料组已无明显差异。早期断奶仔猪在度过断奶应激后,有补偿生长反应。     

Sow performance and maternal behaviour in organic and conventional herds

Abstract

The study evaluates the first three parities of 144 Swedish Landrace×Yorkshire sows from three certified organic and three conventional commercial piglet-producing herds. Sows and litters were weaned at seven and five weeks post partum (pp) in organic and conventional herds, respectively. Herdsmen judged sow behaviour and maternal ability at farrowing, two weeks pp and at weaning. Herdsmen collected registrations of litter size, litter weight and sow fat status at farrowing and at weaning. Piglet mortality and oestrous signs were registered continuously during the nursing period. Sows in organic herds were scored to be more cautious among piglets, and to have better nursing behaviour and maternal ability in early lactation than sows in conventional herds. Piglet mortality was higher in organic than in conventional herds. Oestrus during lactation was only observed among sows in organic herds, and sows showing oestrus during lactation were fatter at weaning.     

Piglet blood glutathione peroxidase levels and preweaning mortality.

The blood glutathione peroxidase levels of one day old piglets from 22 litters were examined. Body weight and piglet survival were monitored in order to assess the relationship between these two factors and blood glutathione peroxidase activity. The mean blood glutathione peroxidase level of one day old piglets (65 mu/gHb) was significantly lower (p0.001) than the mean level (85 mu/gHb) at weaning. The mean blood glutathione peroxidase activity of one day old piglets was not related to the size of the litter, but was related (p less than 0.1) to the mean litter blood glutathione peroxidase level at weaning time. Piglet blood glutathione peroxidase was not related to piglet body weight. The blood glutathione peroxidase level of the sows at one-day post-farrowing was not related to the mean blood glutathione peroxidase activity of their litters at one day of age but was correlated (p less than 0.1) with the mean blood glutathione peroxidase levels of their litters at weaning. Piglet viability was shown to be strongly correlated (p less than 0.001) with body weight at one day of age. The blood glutathione peroxidase level of one day old piglets was weakly associated (p less than 0.1) with piglet survival. Further work is required to clarify this latter observation, which suggests that selenium supplementation to newborn piglets may be beneficial regardless of the dams nutritional status.     

断奶日龄对仔猪断奶期腹泻和死亡影响的研究

选择杜洛克×豫农白猪Ⅰ系杂交仔猪８窝共７２头，均分为两组，每组４窝３６头。试Ⅰ组采用２８日龄断奶，试Ⅱ组采用３５日龄断奶。试验期从断奶前１周至６０日龄，分析比较不同断奶日龄对仔猪断奶期腹泻和死亡的影响。结果：①试Ⅰ组和试Ⅱ组仔猪，断奶后至６０日龄间发生腹泻１５９头次和８５头次，全群日平均腹泻发生率为１４．７６％和９．０８％；②试Ⅰ组和试Ⅱ组仔猪，断奶后至６０日龄间死亡数为４头和０头；③试Ⅰ组和试Ⅱ组仔猪，断奶后至６０日龄发生腹泻的高峰期在断奶后５～２２天和断奶后３～８天，持续期为１８天和６天，日腹泻发生率最高达４２．４２％和３３．３３％；④试Ⅰ组４窝仔猪在断奶至６０日龄期间，有３窝出现多个腹泻高峰，只有１窝为１个高峰；而试Ⅱ组４窝仔猪中，只有１窝出现多个腹泻高峰，其它３窝为１个高峰。     

Effects of oral doses of corn oil and other factors on preweaning survival and growth of piglets

Piglets were provided supplemental energy as oral doses of corn oil to find whether such treatment might improve survival or weight gains. A total of 1,840 piglets from 182 litters was used. Piglets were allotted to dosed and control treatments within litter on the basis of body weight. Dosed piglets received a total of 8 ml of corn oil in four doses during the first 48 h postpartum. The survival rate to weaning was high and not affected (P greater than .10) by the corn oil doses. Deaths of piglets low in birth weight were delayed by the fat doses, suggesting some utilization. The fat doses did not affect piglet weight gain. Factors affecting preweaning survival and growth of piglets were also evaluated using data from the same piglets. Specific factors investigated were sex, parity of dam, birth weight, litter size and the mean and standard deviation of piglet birth weights within litters. Male piglets were heavier at birth than females, but there was no sex effect on weight at 7 d or at weaning. Small males were less likely to survive to 3 d than were small females. Litters from primiparous sows were smaller at birth and weaning, but had lower percentages of stillbirths and of preweaning deaths than did those from multiparous sows. Piglets from primiparous sows were more uniform in birth weight. Piglets that were heavier at birth grew faster and were more likely to survive. Litter size affected growth but not survival of piglets. A heavier average birth weight in the litter reduced slightly the growth rate of individual piglets. An increase in variability of piglet birth weight within a litter was associated with an increase of the percentages of stillbirths and of preweaning mortality. A few litters accounted for a major portion of the mortality. Much of the variation in piglet mortality and growth was not explained by factors considered.     

早期断奶对仔猪空肠和回肠兴奋性氨基酸载体1表达的影响

本试验旨在研究仔猪出生后10~20 d,早期断奶仔猪小肠谷氨酸转运载体基因表达情况与哺乳仔猪的差异。试验分别从40头不同母猪的仔猪中各选出体重相近,10日龄的"杜×长×大"三元杂交仔猪1头,共40头仔猪,随机不配对分为2组,每组20头仔猪,对照组(哺乳组)为哺乳仔猪,随母猪喂养;试验组(断奶组)为断奶仔猪,隔离断奶饲养;试验期10 d。饲养结束,每组随机取12只仔猪,宰杀取空肠和回肠,测定谷氨酸转运载体兴奋性氨基酸转运载体1(EAAC1)蛋白质表达情况和游离氨基酸含量。结果显示,断奶显著降低了仔猪空肠和回肠EAAC1(57和73 ku)及其相关蛋白谷氨酸转运联合蛋白(GTRAP3-18)(50 ku)的蛋白质和mRNA表达量(P0.05)。断奶提高了仔猪空肠游离谷氨酸和总氨基酸含量,却降低了仔猪回肠游离谷氨酸和总氨基酸含量,差异显著(P0.05)。结果提示,早期断奶降低EAAC1和GTRAP3-18的蛋白质含量,这可能与早期断奶仔猪遭受营养谷氨酸缺乏导致的肠道氨基酸吸收转运障碍有关。     

Neonatal-piglet weight variation and its relation to pre-weaning mortality and weight gain on commercial farms

To determine the effect of within-litter neonatal-weight variation on pre-weaning mortality and weight gain, we analyzed piglet survival and weight gain within 400 litters from 10 commercial farms. Neonatal-weight variation (independent of mean neonatal weight, litter size and sow parity) was associated with pre-weaning survival and weaning-weight variation-but not with mean weaning weight. Neonatal piglets with weights well below the range of most of the litter (low-birth-weight piglets) had an increased risk of dying and were unable to obtain normal weight gains by weaning if they survived. These piglets experienced lower survival and poorer weight gain in larger litters. These piglets also tended to have lower survival but normal (albeit low) weaning weights if they survived in litters from middle-aged and old sows. High neonatal-weight variation resulted in lower survival and more variable weaning weights. Small piglets had a greater risk for poor survival and weight gain compared to their heavier litter-mates (a disadvantage that was exacerbated in large litters).     

不同断奶日龄仔猪血液中生长相关激素的检测

为探讨断奶日龄对仔猪血液生长相关激素指标的影响,试验从8窝"杜×长×大"仔猪中选取出生日龄相近、初生体重一致的健康仔猪24头,随机分为4个试验组,每个试验组设6个重复,每个重复1头仔猪,4组仔猪分别于14、21、28、35日龄断奶。至42日龄时,所有仔猪宰杀采血,利用放射免疫分析法进行血浆生长激素(GH)、胰岛素(INS)、三碘甲状腺原氨酸(T3)和四碘甲状腺原氨酸(T4)含量检测。结果表明,不同日龄组断奶仔猪血浆GH、T3和T4水平无显著性差异(P0.05);35日龄组断奶仔猪血浆INS含量显著高于14日龄断奶组(P0.05)。结果提示,不同断奶日龄对仔猪生长相关激素无显著影响。     

Selection potential of different prolificacy traits in the finnish landrace and large white populations

Heritabilities and genetic correlations for different prolificacy traits were estimated to assess possibilities of selection for high number of piglets weaned. Three litter-size traits: total number of piglets born (TNB), number of piglets born alive (NBA), number of piglets weaned (NW); four piglet survival traits: number of stillborn piglets (NSB), percent of stillborn piglets (NSB%), piglet mortality between birth and weaning (PM), percent of dead piglets during suckling (PM%); and three traits measuring time intervals: age at first farrowing (AFF), first farrowing interval (FFI), and gestation length (GL) were analysed. The Finnish national litter recording scheme provided data on the first parity litters of 11 329 Landrace and 8 362 Large White pigs born between 1986 and 2000. The heritabilitiy estimates were moderate for AFF and GL (0.24–0.37), and low for all the other traits (0.03–0.11). The genetic correlations between TNB and PM (0.68 in Landrace and 0.43 in Large White) and between NBA and PM (0.64 in Landrace and 0.31 in Large White) suggest that selection only for high TNB or NBA will lead to increased PM. The results showed further that GL will increase indirectly if the selection pressure is for low PM (r _g =?0.050 in Landrace and ?0.43 in Large White.     

互助县现代畜牧业生产发展现状和建议

畜牧业是新农村建设的萤要组成部分,加快农区畜牧业发展对于调整农业产业结构,发展农村经济,增加农民收入,加快新农村建设步伐,实现小康社会具有十分重要的意义。当前,随着社会主义市场经济的深入发展和西部大开发战略的有效实施,互助县畜牧业进入了一个新的发展时期,我们既面临着良好的发展条件和机遇,也面临着新的挑战和问题。为抓住机遇,实现畜牧业发展的新突破,推动新农村建设．提出以下建议和思路,以供参考。     

断奶日龄对仔猪生产性能和消化酶活性的影响

选取遗传基础相似、体重相当来自9窝母猪的48头杜长大仔猪为研究对象。随机平均分为2组,分别于23日龄和28日龄断奶,各组分别在断奶当天,断奶后3 d、7 d、14 d宰杀取样。测定各组在断奶后2周内的生产性能以及空肠内容物和胰腺消化酶的活性。结果表明:28日龄断奶的仔猪平均日增重、日平均采食量均显著高于23日龄断奶的仔猪。断奶后仔猪空肠消化酶均有所下降,其中28日龄断奶的仔猪所受影响相对较小。