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Does split-suckling influence pre- and postweaning pig growth performance and mortality?
Mikayla S Spinler1, Jason C Woodworth1, Mike D Tokach1
1Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, College of Agriculture, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, United States.
Translational Animal Science
|April 20, 2026
Summary
Split-suckling protocols, based on birth order or piglet body weight, did not improve piglet growth or survival rates compared to no split-suckling. These findings suggest current split-suckling methods do not offer significant benefits for pre- or postweaning performance in swine production.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Swine Production
- Reproductive Management
Background:
- Split-suckling is a management technique used in swine production to equalize litter nursing opportunities.
- Its effectiveness in improving piglet growth and survival requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of two distinct split-suckling protocols on piglet growth performance and mortality.
- To compare these protocols against a control group with no split-suckling.
Main Methods:
- A total of 1,513 sows and litters were assigned to three treatments: no split-suckling, split-suckling by birth order, or split-suckling by body weight.
- Split-suckling was performed within 18 hours of birth.
- Piglet growth and mortality were monitored pre- and postweaning, with a subset followed through nursery and finishing phases.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in litter size, piglet weights at split-suckling or weaning, or preweaning mortality among the treatment groups.
- Analysis by birth weight category, sow parity, timing of split-suckling, or teat count did not reveal treatment effects on mortality.
- Postweaning performance metrics, including average daily gain, feed intake, gain-to-feed ratio, and mortality, were also unaffected by the split-suckling protocols.
Conclusions:
- The split-suckling protocols evaluated in this study did not provide measurable benefits for piglet growth performance or mortality.
- These findings indicate that split-suckling, as implemented in this research, does not enhance pre- or postweaning outcomes in swine compared to conventional management.
