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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
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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.

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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.