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Effects of extensive crossfostering on performance of pigs on a farm
B E Straw1, E J Bürgi, C E Dewey
1Department of Large Animal Clinical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, USA.
Objective:
To compare mortality and growth rates of pigs subjected to continuous or limited crossfostering.
Design:
Prospective study.
Animals:
80 liters containing 879 pigs.
Procedure:
In half of the litters, crossfostering was limited to the first 2 days of life. In the other litters, pigs were crossfostered throughout the lactation period to maintain uniform body weights within litters.
Results:
Restricting crossfostering to the first 2 days of life resulted in a 20% increase in body weight at weaning, compared with crossfostering throughout the nursing period. Mortality rates did not differ between the limited and continuous crossfostering groups.
Clinical Implications:
The emphasis placed on reducing variation of body weights within litters is unwarranted and veterinarians should advise limiting crossfostering to the first 2 days of life. Excessive crossfostering late in the nursing period may be identified by low within-litter SD of mean body weight.