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The objective of this study was to determine effects of room temperature and drinker design on growth and water disappearance of growing-finishing pigs (26.9 ± 3.67 to 130.9 ± 5.10 kg live body weight). A split-plot design was used with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: Room Temperature (RT) [Thermoneutral (TN) vs. High (HI); main plot], Drinker Design (DD; Nipple vs. Cup; sub-plot). A total of 316 pigs were used, housed in 32 pens in 4 rooms (8 pens/room; 7 pens of 10 pigs and 1 pen of 9 pigs). Two rooms were on each RT treatment. Room temperature for the TN treatment was constant throughout each day but decreased from 24°C at the start to 20°C and 18°C on d 14 and 45 of the study period, respectively. For the HI treatment, a single, cyclic RT protocol was used throughout the study (30°C from 08:00 to 19:00 h and 20°C from 20:00 to 07:00 h, with 1-h transition periods). Pens had fully-slatted concrete floors and 1 feeder and drinker (either nipple or cup); floor space was 0.67 m2/pig. Pigs had ad libitum access to standard corn-soybean diets, formulated to meet or exceed NRC (2012) nutrient requirements. Water disappearance was measured using a meter fitted to the water line supplying each drinker. There were no interactions (P  > 0.05) between RT and DD treatments. Drinker Design did not affect (P  > 0.05) growth performance; water disappearance was 7.3% greater (P  ≤ 0.05) for Nipple than Cup drinkers. Compared to the TN treatment, the HI treatment had no effect (P  > 0.05) on gain:feed ratio, but resulted in lower (P  ≤ 0.05) average daily gain (6.5%) and average daily feed intake (5.5%) and greater (P  ≤ 0.05) average daily water disappearance (16.8%). These results suggest that both drinker design and RT can affect water disappearance, and that the high, cyclic RT regime used reduced growth performance of growing-finishing pigs. Further research is needed to determine the contribution of water intake and wastage to treatment differences in water disappearance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to evaluate the water disappearance of nursery pigs (from weaning to 6 wk post-weaning; 6.4 ± 1.07 to 22.0 ± 3.39 kg live body weight) using a randomized complete block design to compare two Drinker Type treatments: Nipple vs. Cup. A total of 336 pigs housed in 16 pens with 21 pigs per pen in 2 rooms (8 pens per room) were used. Pens had fully-slatted concrete floors; floor space was 0.32 m2/pig and there was one feeder and one drinker per pen. Pigs were fed corn-soybean–based diets formulated to meet or exceed nutrient requirements. Pigs and feeders were weighed at the start and end of the study. Water disappearance was measured using a water-flow meter fitted to the water pipeline supplying the drinker in each pen. For the overall study period, Drinker Type did not affect (P  > 0.05) growth performance; however, average daily water disappearance was greater (P  < 0.05) for Nipple than Cup drinkers (2.74 and 2.25 liters/d, respectively; SEM = 0.139). Water to feed disappearance ratio was greater (P  < 0.05) for the Nipple than the Cup treatment (5.23 vs. 4.22 liters:kg, respectively; SEM = 0.263). These results suggest that water disappearance from nipple drinkers was greater than for cup drinkers. The lack of an effect of Drinker Type treatment on pig growth performance suggests that the treatment difference for water disappearance was most likely due to greater water wastage for the nipple drinkers rather than any effect on water intake per se. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Litter sizes of commercial sows have increased considerably over recent decades, and often exceed the number of functional teats on the sow. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of litter size after cross-fostering relative to sow functional teat number on piglet preweaning growth and mortality. A total of 39 litters (561 piglets) were used in a randomized complete block design; blocking factors were farrowing day and sow parity, body condition score, and functional teat number. Three Litter Size treatments were compared (relative to sow functional teat number): Decreased (two piglets less); Control (same number of piglets); Increased (two piglets more). Piglets were randomly allotted to treatment at 24 h after birth to form litters of the appropriate size, with similar mean and CV of birth weight within block. Weaning weights (WW) were collected at 19.5 ± 0.50 d of age; preweaning mortality (PWM) was recorded. Litter sizes were between 11 and 17 piglets, depending on block and treatment. The Decreased treatment had lower (P ≤ 0.05) PWM than the Increased (7.7% and 17.9%, respectively); the Control was intermediate (11.5%) and not different (P > 0.05) from the other treatments. The rate of decline in litter size from birth to weaning was greater (P ≤ 0.05) for the Increased than the Decreased treatment (−0.16 vs. −0.05 piglets per day), with the Control (−0.09 piglets per day) being intermediate and different (P ≤ 0.05) to the other two treatments. Litter sizes at weaning were greater (P ≤ 0.05) for the Increased than the Decreased treatment (13.3 and 11.3, respectively); the Control treatment was intermediate (12.6) and not different (P > 0.05) to the other treatments. The log odds of PWM increased with the decreasing birth weight, at a similar rate (P > 0.05) for all Litter Size treatments. However, the intercept was greater (P ≤ 0.05) for the Increased compared with the Decreased treatment; the Control was intermediate and different (P > 0.05) to the other two treatments. Mean WW tended (P = 0.07) to be greater for the Decreased (6.17 kg) compared to the Control and Increased treatments (5.86 and 5.84 kg, respectively). In conclusion, increasing litter size after cross-fostering relative to the number of functional teats of the sow increased piglet PWM, and tended to decrease WW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Litter sizes in commercial pig production have increased substantially over recent years; however, farrowing pen sizes have generally not changed over the same time period. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of farrowing pen size on piglet pre-weaning growth and mortality. Differences in pen size were created by varying the width of pens of the same length, increasing the creep area available to the piglets. The study used a total of 1,786 litters in a randomized complete block design to compare two farrowing pen size treatments (FPS): Standard (pen width 1.52 m) and Increased (pen width 1.68 m). Litter sizes were equalized across treatments (12.9 ± 1.95 piglets) at 24 h after birth using cross-fostering. Litter weights were collected at birth and weaning (21.3 ± 2.08 d); pre-weaning mortality was recorded. The experimental unit was the litter; models for statistical analysis included FPS and replicate. Farrowing pen size had no effect (P > 0.05) on litter size at birth (12.8 and 13.0 for the Standard and Increased FPS, respectively), after cross-fostering (12.9 for both treatments), or at weaning (11.2 and 11.3, respectively). There was no effect (P > 0.05) of FPS on total litter or average piglet weight at birth, after cross-fostering, and at weaning. These results suggest no benefit in piglet performance from increasing the width of farrowing pens. As litter sizes continue to increase in commercial production, further research is warranted to re-evaluate the impact of farrowing pen size on pre-weaning mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonatal piglets can experience both a decrease in body temperature and hypoxia, increasing risks for pre-weaning mortality. This research evaluated the effects of drying and providing supplemental oxygen to newborn piglets on rectal temperature (RT) over the first 24 h after birth. The study used a CRD with three Intervention Treatments (IT; applied at birth): Control (no intervention), Drying (dried using a desiccant), Oxygen [dried using a desiccant and placed in a chamber (at 40% oxygen concentration) for 20 min]. A total of 42 litters (485 piglets) were randomly allotted to treatments at the start of farrowing. At birth, each piglet was given a numbered ear tag, weighed, and the treatment was applied; RT was measured at 0, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 1440 min after birth. Blood was collected from one piglet from each birth weight quartile within each litter at 24 h after birth to measure plasma immunocrit concentration. There was no effect (P  > 0.05) of IT on piglet RT at 0 or 1440 min after birth. Between 20 and 60 min after birth, piglet RT was lower (P  ≤ 0.05) for the Control than the Drying treatment, with the Oxygen treatment being intermediate and different (P  ≤ 0.05) from the other two IT. The effect of piglet birth weight on responses to IT were evaluated by classifying piglets into Birth Weight Categories (BWC): Light (<1.0 kg), Medium (1.0 to 1.5 kg), or Heavy (>1.5 kg). There were IT by BWC interactions (P  ≤ 0.05) for piglet RT at all measurement times between 20 and 120 min after birth. Relative to the Control, the effects of the Drying and Oxygen treatments on RT were greater (P  ≤ 0.05) for Light than heavier piglets. Plasma immunocrit concentrations tended (P  = 0.07) to be greater for piglets on the Control treatment compared to the other two IT and were lower (P  ≤ 0.05) for Light than Heavy piglets, with Medium piglets being intermediate and different (P  ≤ 0.05) to the other BWC. In conclusion, drying piglets at birth reduced the extent and duration of RT decline in piglets in the early postnatal period compared to undried piglets, especially for those of low birth weight. However, the combination of drying and placing piglets in an oxygen-rich environment provided no additional benefit over drying alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piglets experience a decline in body temperature immediately after birth, and both drying and warming piglets at birth reduce this. However, these interventions may be less effective at higher farrowing room temperatures. This study was carried out at a commercial facility to compare the effect of drying and/or warming piglets at birth on postnatal rectal temperature (RT) under relatively warm farrowing room temperatures (26.6 ± 2.09 °C). Forty-five sows/litters were used in a completely randomized design to compare three Intervention Treatments (applied at birth): Control (no treatment); Warming (piglets placed in a plastic box under a heat lamp for 30 min); and Drying+Warming (piglets dried with desiccant and warmed as above). Temperatures in the warming boxes over the study period averaged 37.7 ± 2.75 °C. At birth, piglets were weighed; RT temperature was measured at 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 1,440 min after birth. Blood samples were collected at 24 h after birth from a subsample of one piglet from each birth weight quartile within each litter to measure plasma immunocrit concentration. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with litter as the experimental unit, and piglet as a subsample of litter. The model for analysis of piglet rectal temperature included fixed effects of Intervention Treatment, measurement time (repeated measure), the interaction, and the random effect of sow. Compared with the Control, piglet RT were higher (P ≤ 0.05) for the Warming treatment between 10 and 60 min, and higher (P ≤ 0.05) for the Drying+Warming treatment between 10 and 120 min after birth. Rectal temperatures were higher (P ≤ 0.05) for the Drying+Warming than the Warming treatment between 20 and 120 min. Responses to drying and/or warming were greater for low-birth-weight piglets (<1.0 kg) than heavier littermates, but were generally less than observed in previous experiments with similar treatments carried out under cooler temperatures. Piglet immunocrit values were lower (P ≤ 0.05) for the Drying+Warming treatment compared to the other Intervention Treatments, which were similar (P > 0.05). Immunocrit values tended (P = 0.10) to be lower for light (<1.0 kg) compared with heavier birth weight piglets. In conclusion, drying and warming piglets at birth was more effective for reducing piglet RT decline after birth than warming alone, though the effect was less than observed in previous studies carried out under cooler farrowing room temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross-fostering is commonly used in commercial swine production to equalize litter sizes and/or adjust piglet birth weights within litters. However, there is limited published information on optimum cross-fostering procedures. This study evaluated the effects of within-litter birth weight variation after cross-fostering (using litters of 14 piglets) on piglet preweaning mortality (PWM) and weaning weight (WW). An RCBD was used (blocking factors were day of farrowing and sow parity, body condition score, and functional teat number) with an incomplete factorial arrangement of the following two treatments: 1) birth weight category (BWC): light (<1.0 kg), medium (1.0 to 1.5 kg), or heavy (1.5 to 2.0 kg); 2) litter composition: uniform, all piglets in the litter of the same BWC [uniform light (14 light piglets); uniform medium (14 medium piglets); uniform heavy (14 heavy piglets)]; mixed, piglets in the litter of two or more BWC [L+M (seven light and seven medium piglets); M+H (seven medium and seven heavy piglets); L+M+H (three light, six medium, and five heavy piglets)]. Piglets were weighed at 24 h after birth and randomly allotted to litter composition treatment from within BWC; all piglets were cross-fostered. There were 47 blocks of six litters (total 282 litters and 3,948 piglets). Weaning weights were collected at 18.7 ± 0.64 d of age; all PWM was recorded. Individual piglet WW and PWM data were analyzed using PROC MIXED and PROC GLIMMIX of SAS, respectively; models included fixed effects of BWC, litter composition, and the interaction, and random effects of sow within the block. There was litter composition by BWC interactions (P ≤ 0.05) for WW and PWM. Within each BWC, WW generally increased and PWM generally decreased as littermate weight decreased. For example, WW was greatest (P ≤ 0.05) for light piglets in uniform light litters, for medium piglets in L+M litters, and for heavy piglets in L+M+H litters. Preweaning mortality was lowest (P ≤ 0.05) for medium piglets in L+M litters, and for heavy piglets in L+M+H litters; however, litter composition had no effect (P > 0.05) on PWM of light piglets. In conclusion, increasing the average birth weight of littermates after cross-fostering generally decreased WW and increased PWM for piglets of all birth weight categories. This implies that the optimum approach to cross-fostering that maximizes piglet preweaning growth and survival is likely to vary depending on the birth weight distribution of the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous monitoring of the behavior of sows is the most accurate approach of measurement but is laborious. Scan sampling, which involves monitoring behavior at fixed intervals, can reduce labor requirements compared with continuous monitoring. However, the accuracy of scan sampling compared with continuous monitoring needs to be established. The objective of this study was to compare 2 sampling methods (continuous monitoring vs. scan sampling) for monitoring postural changes in individually housed sows after weaning. The study was carried out as a within-subject longitudinal study using 99 multiparous sows that were monitored over an 11-day period following weaning. Sows were housed in individual stalls and were checked daily for standing reflex from day 3 to 7 post-weaning. Video recording of the sows was carried out throughout the study period. The postures recorded were lying, standing, sitting, and active (standing + sitting). All recording of postures was carried out by a single trained observer. For the continuous monitoring, video recordings were observed continuously and the exact time and duration that sows exhibited each posture over the study period was recorded. The scan sampling method involved pausing the video recordings at 5 min intervals and recording the posture of the sow at each time. Postures recorded from the scan sampling were reported as the number of observations of each posture as a percentage of the total number of observations. Postures recorded from the continuous monitoring were reported as the time spent in each posture as a percentage of the total time. A repeated-measures analysis was carried out using PROC GLIMMIX of SAS; the model included the fixed effects of study day, sampling method, and the interaction. There was no difference (P > 0.05) between sampling methods for any of the postures on any study day or for the overall study period (Table 1). In conclusion, these results suggest that scan sampling at 5-minute intervals gives similar results to continuous monitoring for measuring the posture of newly weaned sows housed in individual crates. Further research is needed to define the maximum interval for scan sampling that maintains the accuracy of monitoring sow posture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is interest in using body temperature changes in sows as an indicator of the onset of estrus. However, the optimum location to measure body temperature has not been established. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationships between sow body surface temperature (SBST) measured at various locations and rectal temperature. The study involved 98 multiparous sows weaned in 6 groups between September and November. Sows were housed in individual stalls and were checked daily for standing reflex from day 3 to 7 post-weaning. Temperature measurements were taken daily for 10 days post-weaning [at 06:15 (feeding time), 07:00, 07:30 (heat checking time), 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00, 19:00, 21:00, and 23:00]. Surface temperature was measured using a handheld thermal camera at 4 locations: outer ear, back of the head, vulva, and ham. Rectal temperature was measured using a clinical thermometer. The ambient temperature in the room was measured at the same times as the animal measurements were taken. The PROC CORR procedure of SAS was used to determine correlations between SBST, rectal temperature, and average room temperature at the time of each measurement (RMT). All correlations between SBST at the different measurement locations were strong and positive (P < 0.0001; Table 1) with r values ranging from 0.64 (between vulva and the outer ear) to 0.89 (between vulva and ham). However, correlations between SBST and rectal temperature were relatively weak (range r = 0.14 to 0.18; P < 0.0001). Rectal temperature was not correlated with RMT (r = 0.02; P = 0.12); correlations between RMT and SBST measurements were positive, with the strongest correlations being with the outer ear and the back of the head (r = 0.45 and 0.50, respectively; P < 0.0001). In conclusion, this study suggests strong relationships between body surface temperatures at different locations but relatively weak relationships between these measurements and rectal temperature. In addition, these results suggest room temperature has a greater influence on body surface temperature than on rectal temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross-fostering is a practice commonly used in the swine industry to equalize litter sizes, however, there is limited understanding of the optimum cross-fostering methods that will maximize piglet preweaning growth and survival. This study evaluated the effects of within-litter variation in birth weight after cross-fostering on piglet preweaning mortality (PWM) and weaning weight (WW) using litters of 15 piglets. A hierarchical incomplete block design was used (blocking factors: day of farrowing and sow parity, body condition score, and number of functional teats) with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: 1) Birth Weight Category (BWC): Light (<1.0 kg), Medium (1.0 to 1.5 kg), or Heavy (1.5 to 2.0 kg); 2) Litter Composition: UNIFORM (all 15 piglets in each litter of the same BWC), or MIXED (five piglets in each litter from each BWC, i.e. five Light, five Medium, and five Heavy piglets). At 24 h after birth, piglets were weighed and randomly allotted to litter composition treatments from within BWC. The experimental unit was five piglets of the same BWC; there were three experimental units within each Litter Composition treatment litter. There were 17 blocks, each of six litters (one UNIFORM litter of each BWC; three MIXED litters) and 51 replicates (three replicates per block of six litters) for a total of 102 cross-fostered litters and 1,530 piglets. Piglets were weaned at 19.7 ± 0.46 d of age; WW and PWM were measured. PROC GLIMMIX and MIXED of SAS were used to analyze PWM and WW, respectively. Models included BWC, Litter Composition, the interaction, and replicate within the block. There were BWC by Litter Composition treatment interactions (P ≤ 0.05) for PWM and WW. Preweaning mortality was greater (P ≤ 0.05) for Light piglets in MIXED than UNIFORM litters. In contrast, for Heavy piglets, PWM was greater (P ≤ 0.05) and WW was lower (P ≤ 0.05) in UNIFORM than MIXED litters. Medium piglets had similar (P > 0.05) PWM and WW in UNIFORM and MIXED litters. The results of this study, which involved large litter sizes typical of current commercial production, suggested that for piglet survival to weaning, using cross-fostering to form litters of piglets of similar birth weight was beneficial for light piglets, detrimental for heavy piglets, and neutral for medium piglets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piglets are susceptible to hypothermia early after birth, which is a major predisposing factor for preweaning mortality (PWM). Drying and warming piglets at birth has been shown to reduce early postnatal temperature decline. This study evaluated the effect of drying and warming piglets at birth on PWM and weaning weight (WW) under commercial conditions. A completely randomized design was used with 802 sows/litters (10,327 piglets); sows/litters were randomly allotted at start of farrowing to one of two Intervention Treatments (applied at birth): Control (no drying or warming); Drying+Warming (dried with a cellulose-based desiccant and placed in a box under a heat lamp for 30 min). Piglets were weighed at birth and weaning; PWM was recorded. Rectal temperature was measured at 0 and 30 min after birth on all piglets in a subsample of 10% of litters. The effect of farrowing pen temperature (FPT) on WW and PWM was evaluated by comparing litters born under COOL (<25°C) to those born under WARM (≥25°C) FPT. The effect of birth weight on WW and PWM was evaluated by comparing three birth weight categories (BWC ; Light: <1.0 kg, Medium: 1.0 to 1.5 kg, or Heavy: >1.5 kg). PROC GLIMMIX and MIXED of SAS were used to analyze mortality and other data, respectively. Litter was the experimental unit; piglet was a subsample of litter. The model included fixed effects of Intervention Treatment, and FPT or BWC as appropriate, the interaction, and the random effects of litter. Piglet rectal temperature at 30 min after birth was greater (P ≤ 0.05) for the Drying+Warming than the Control treatment (+2.33°C). Overall, there was no effect (P > 0.05) of Intervention Treatment on PWM or WW, and there were no Intervention Treatment by BWC interactions (P > 0.05) for these measurements. There was an Intervention Treatment by FPT interaction (P ≤ 0.05) for PWM. Drying and warming piglets reduced (P ≤ 0.05) PWM under COOL (by 2.4 percentage units) but not WARM FPT. In addition, WW were lower (P ≤ 0.05) under WARM (by 0.79 kg) than COOL FPT; however, there was no interaction (P > 0.05) with Intervention Treatment. In conclusion, this study suggests that drying and warming piglets at birth increases rectal temperature and may reduce PWM under cooler conditions, which are typically experienced in temperate climates during the majority of the year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piglets experience a rapid decrease in body temperature immediately after birth, increasing the risk of mortality. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of drying and/or warming piglets at birth on rectal temperature over the first 24 h after birth. The study was carried out at a commercial sow facility using a completely randomized design with four treatments (applied to piglets at birth): Control (no drying or warming), Desiccant (dried using a desiccant), Warming Box (placed in a box under a heat lamp for 30 min), and Desiccant + Warming Box (both dried and warmed as above). Farrowing pens had one heat lamp, temperatures under which were similar to the warming box (35 °C). A total of 68 litters (866 piglets) were randomly allotted to a treatment at the birth of the first piglet. At birth, each piglet was identified with a numbered ear tag and weighed; rectal temperature was measured at 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 1,440 min after birth. Data were analyzed using a repeated-measures model using PROC MIXED of SAS. Litter was the experimental unit, piglet was a subsample of the litter; and the model included the fixed effects of treatment, time (the repeated measure), and the interaction. Rectal temperatures at birth and 1,440 min after birth were similar (P > 0.05) for all treatments. At all times between 10 and 120 min after birth, Control piglets had lower (P ≤ 0.05) temperatures than the other three treatments. The Desiccant and Warming Box treatments had similar (P > 0.05) temperatures at most measurement times, but the Desiccant + Warming Box treatment had the highest (P ≤ 0.05) rectal temperatures at most times between 10 and 60 min. In addition, for all treatments, light (<1.0 kg) birth weight piglets had lower (P ≤ 0.05) temperatures than medium (1.0–1.5 kg) or heavy (>1.5 kg) piglets at all times between 10 and 120 min. In addition, at these measurement times, the deviation in temperature between the Control and the other three treatments was greater for light than medium or heavy piglets. In conclusion, both drying and warming piglets at birth significantly increased rectal temperatures between 10 and 120 min after birth, with the combination of the two interventions having the greatest effect, especially for low birth weight piglets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piglets are born wet, and evaporation of that moisture decreases body temperature, increasing the risk of mortality. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of two commercially applicable methods for drying piglets at birth on piglet rectal temperature over 24 h after birth. The study was carried out in standard commercial farrowing facilities with 52 litters, using a completely randomized design with three Drying Treatments: Control (not dried); Desiccant (dried at birth using a cellulose-based desiccant); Paper Towel (dried at birth using paper towels). Litters were randomly allotted to treatments at the birth of the first piglet. At birth, piglets were individually identified, and the treatment was applied. Rectal temperature was measured at 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 1,440 min (24 h) after birth. Data were analyzed using a repeated measures model with PROC MIXED of SAS, with litter as the experimental unit and piglet a subsample of the litter. The model included the fixed effects of treatment and time (as a repeated measure), and the interaction. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of treatment on temperature at birth, or 10 or 1,440 min after birth. Piglet temperatures between 20 and 120 min after birth were similar (P > 0.05) for the Desiccant and Paper Towel treatments, but were greater (P ≤ 0.05) than the Control. The effect of birth weight on the response to Drying Treatment was evaluated by dividing the data into Light (<1.0 kg), Medium (1.0 to 1.5 kg), or Heavy (>1.5 kg) piglet Birth Weight Categories. Piglet rectal temperature data at each measurement time were analyzed using a model that included the fixed effects of Birth Weight Category, Drying Treatment, and the interaction. Temperatures of Light piglets were lower (P ≤ 0.05) than those of Heavy piglets between 20 and 120 min after birth, with Medium piglets being intermediate and generally different to the other two weight categories at these times. The difference in temperature between Light as compared with Medium or Heavy piglets was greater for the Control than the other two Drying Treatments at 60 min after birth. These results suggest that drying piglets at birth is an effective method to reduce rectal temperature decline in the early postnatal period, especially for low birth weight piglets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood glucose levels in piglets at birth are potentially associated with survival, however, there has been limited research to quantify these and to establish any associations with piglet characteristics. This study, which evaluated the effects of a number of piglet characteristics on blood glucose levels at birth, was conducted as a cross-sectional survey involving 32 litters. Litter was the experimental unit; piglet was a sub-sample of litter. At birth, piglets were weighed and assigned a vitality score [1 = high vitality; 2 = low vitality (limited mobility and/or respiration)]. Piglets were then dried with a cellulose-based desiccant, and blood samples were collected from half of the piglets in each litter with a vitality score of 1 (n = 226) and all piglets with a vitality score of 2 (n = 7). Samples (1.2 μL) were collected from the vena subcutanea abdominis; blood glucose was measured using a glucometer (Accuchek Aviva; Roche Diabetes Care, Inc., Indianapolis, IN). Effects of piglet characteristics and relationships with blood glucose levels were analyzed using PROC MIXED, PROC GLIMMIX, and PROC REG of SAS, as appropriate. There were no effects (P > 0.05) of piglet birth weight or gender on blood glucose levels. Piglets with a vitality score of 2 had higher (P < 0.05) blood glucose levels than those with a score of 1. Blood glucose levels increased linearly (P < 0.05) with birth order (0.8 mg/dL for each piglet increase). In conclusion, blood glucose levels at birth were higher for piglets with low compared to high vitality and for those born later in the birth order. Further research is needed to establish relationships between blood glucose levels in piglets at birth and subsequent survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newborn piglets experience a rapid decrease in body temperature, increasing the risk of mortality. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of drying and/or warming at birth on piglet rectal temperature over 24 h after birth. The study was carried out at a commercial sow facility using a CRD with 4 treatments: Control (no drying or warming of piglets), Drying (piglets dried at birth using a cellulose-based desiccant), Warming (piglets placed in a box under a heat lamp for 30 min after birth), and Drying+Warming (piglets dried and warmed as above). Piglets were identified with a numbered ear tag. They were weighed at birth and rectal temperature was measured at 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 1440 min (24 h) after birth. Sows and litters were randomly allotted at birth to treatments. Data were analyzed using a repeated measures model with PROC MIXED of SAS. Litter was the experimental unit and piglet was a subsample of the litter; the model included the fixed effects of treatment and repeated time, and the interaction. Rectal temperature at birth was similar (P > 0.05) for all treatments. Subsequently, piglets on the Drying and Warming treatments had similar (P > 0.05) temperatures, which were greater (P 0.05) than the Control at all measurement times up to 120 min. Drying+Warming resulted in the highest (P < 0.05) rectal temperature overall and at most times of measurement between 10 and 120 min. Rectal temperatures were similar for all treatment at 24 h after birth. In conclusion, drying and/or warming piglets at birth significantly increased rectal temperatures between 10 and 120 minutes after birth with the combination of the two having the greatest effect. This research was funded by the National Pork Board. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piglets are born wet, and evaporation of that moisture decreases body temperature, increasing the mortality risk. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of 2 commercially-applicable piglet drying methods on rectal temperature over 24 h after birth. The study was carried out at a commercial sow facility using a CRD with 3 treatments: Control (piglets not dried); Desiccant (piglets dried at birth using a cellulose-based desiccant); Paper Towel (piglets dried at birth using paper towels). Piglets were weighed at birth and individually identified with a numbered ear tag. Rectal temperature was measured at 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 1440 min (24 h) after birth. Sows and litters were randomly allotted to treatments. Data were analyzed using a repeated measures model with PROC MIXED of SAS. Litter was the experimental unit and piglet was a subsample of the litter; the model included the fixed effects of treatment and repeated time, and the interaction. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of treatment on rectal temperature at birth, or at 10 min or 24 h after birth. The Desiccant and Paper Towel treatments had greater (P < 0.05) temperatures than the Control at all times of measurement from 20 to 120 min after birth. Piglets on the Desiccant treatment had greater (P < 0.05) temperatures than those on the Paper Towel treatment between 30 and 120 min after birth. In conclusion, drying piglets at birth with either a desiccant or paper towels increases rectal temperatures between 20 and 120 minutes after birth, with the greatest effect being for the desiccant. Further research is needed to compare other methods of increasing piglet temperature and to determine if drying of piglets impacts pre-weaning mortality. This research was funded by the National Pork Board. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-weaning piglet mortality (PWM) is a substantial economic loss and a welfare concern. It is not a new issue; however, there is evidence that levels are increasing in US herds. Genetic improvements in prolificacy have been accompanied with lower average piglet birth weights, increased within-litter variation in birth weight, and an increasing proportion of low birth weight piglets. Low birth weight is a major pre-disposing factor for PWM. In a survey involving over 11,000 piglets (average birth weight 1.44 ± 0.390 kg), PWM for piglets weighing 1.5 kg was 44, 15, and 8%, respectively. However, the percentage of total mortality from these 3 weight groupings was 35, 42, and 23%, respectively. This suggests that efforts to reduce PWM should mainly focus on lightest 50% of piglets in a population. The major causes and timing of PWM have not changed over time. Crushing and starvation are predominant; the majority of losses occur in the first few days after birth. A substantial proportion of dead piglets have empty stomachs. Pre-weaning mortality is multifactorial in origin; reducing levels requires attention to all factors, starting with farrowing accommodation design and basic facility hygiene programs. Minimizing piglet body temperature decline after birth, and encouraging early colostrum and milk intake are critical. Strategies to reduce competition between piglets for access to the udder and/or supplementary feeding programs are important. Cross-fostering is central to maximizing piglet survival; however, there is a dearth of research-based information to use to design the optimum strategy. The potential influence of gestation nutrition on PWM requires clarification. Pre-weaning mortality is strongly influenced by the people managing the farrowing facilities; developing approaches for early identification of at risk pigs would have benefit. Ultimately, minimizing PWM requires systems-based approaches involving all components from genetic selection for survival through to facility and animal management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Litter sizes of commercial sows have increased recently, often resulting in the number of piglets exceeding the sow functional teat number. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of litter size after crossfostering on piglet pre-weaning mortality (PWM) and growth. A RCBD was used with 13 blocks of 3 litters (total 39 litters/561 piglets); blocking factors were farrowing day, sow parity, body condition score, and functional teat number. Three Litter Size treatments (LS) relative to sow functional teat number were compared: Under (2 piglets below); Equal (same number of piglets); Over (2 piglets above). Piglets were weighed 24 h after birth and allotted to LS to create litters with similar gender ratio and average and CV of birth weight. Weaning was at 19.5 ± 0.50 d, weights and PWM were recorded. Piglet weight data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS; PWM data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX of SAS. Models included LS and sow within block. Litter sizes averaged 12.1, 14.1, and 16.1 for the Under, Equal, and Over treatments, respectively (P = 0.05). The Under treatment tended (P = 0.07) to have greater weaning weights compared to the Equal and Over treatments (Table 1). The Under treatment had lower (P = 0.05) PWM than the Over treatment, with the Equal treatment being intermediate and not different to the other 2 (P > 0.05; Table 1). In conclusion, reducing litter size after cross-fostering to two piglets below the number of functional teats of the sow decreased PWM and tended to increase weaning weights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sow litter sizes have increased over recent decades, increasing the need for cross-fostering. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the number of source litters used to create cross-fostered litters on piglet pre-weaning mortality (PWM) and weaning weight. A RCBD was used with 26 blocks of 5 litters (total 130 litters/1820 piglets), all litters consisted of 14 piglets. Blocking factors were farrowing day, sow parity, body condition score, and functional teat number, and the average and CV of piglet birth weight. Five crossfostering treatments were compared: 0%, 1 source (all piglets remaining on the birth sow); 100%, 1 source (all piglets moved from birth to a different sow); 100%, 6+ sources (piglets from ≥ 6 birth sows used to form a litter on a different sow); 50%, 2 sources (7 piglets remaining with birth sow, 7 from one other sow); 50%, 4+ sources (7 piglets remaining with the birth sow, 7 from ≥ 3 other sows). The single-source litters were selected from those with > 14 piglets at birth, with excess piglets removed. For other treatments, piglets were selected to meet blocking factors. Piglets were weighed 24 h after birth and at weaning (19.5 ± 0.50 d); all PWM was recorded. Weight data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS; PWM data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX of SAS. Models included Treatment and sow within block. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of treatment on weaning weights. Pre-weaning mortality was greater (P < 0.05) for the 0%, 1 source compared to the 50%, 2 source treatment, with the others being intermediate and generally not statistically different (Table 1). In conclusion, cross-fostering and/or mixing litters had no effect on weaning weights, but pre-weaning mortality was highest for the non-fostered treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross-fostering of piglets is a common commercial practice, however, there is limited information on optimum methods. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of within-litter birth weight variation after cross-fostering on piglet pre-weaning mortality (PWM) and growth. A RCBD was used with 47 blocks of 6 litters (total 282 litters/3,948 piglets); blocking factors were farrowing day, sow parity, body condition score, and functional teat number. Piglets were allotted at 24 h after birth according to Birth Weight Category (BWC) [L (< 1.0 kg), M (1.0 to 1.5 kg), or H (1.5 to 2.0 kg)] to 6 Litter Composition (LC) treatments with 14 piglets/litter: Uniform (14 L, M or H); Mixed L+M (7 L, 7 M); Mixed M+H (7 M, 7 H); Mixed L+M+H (3 L, 6 M, 5 H). Piglets were weaned at 18.7 ± 0.64 d and PWM was recorded. Piglet birth and weaning weights were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS; PWM were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX of SAS; models included BWC, LC, the interaction, and sow within block. There were LC by BWC interactions (P < 0.05) for PWM and weaning weights. For L piglets, there was no effect (P > 0.05) of LC on PWM (22.8, 26.7, and 28.4% for Uniform, Mixed L+M, and Mixed L+M+H treatments, respectively). For H piglets, PWM was lower (P < 0.05) in Mixed L+M+H compared to Uniform or Mixed M+H litters (1.7, 9.6, and 5.8%, respectively). For M piglets, PWM was lower (P < 0.05) in Mixed L+M than Uniform or Mixed M+H litters (7.1, 12.2, and 14.6%, respectively); Mixed L+M+H were intermediate (10.0%; P > 0.05). Weaning weights generally followed a similar but opposite pattern for all BWC. In conclusion, increasing the average weight of littermates generally decreased weaning weights and increased PWM within each BWC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All piglets experience hypothermia immediately after birth, which can be a predisposing factor for pre-weaning mortality. Drying piglets at birth with a desiccant reduces the extent and duration of postnatal temperature decline. This study compared the effectiveness of different types of commercially-available desiccant products using a CRD with four treatments (applied at birth): Control (piglets not dried) and 3 Desiccant Product treatments [dried with a Mineral-based, Cellulose-based, or Mixed (mineral and cellulose-based) desiccant]. Sows (40) and litters (546 piglets) were randomly allotted to a treatment at the birth of the first piglet. Sows were housed in individual farrowing crates within pens; a heat lamp was suspended over one side of each pen. Room temperature was set at 22.8°C throughout farrowing. Piglets were weighed at birth, those on the Desiccant Product treatments were coated with desiccant until completely dry, and then returned to the pen. Piglet rectal temperatures were measured at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 120 min after birth. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). The model included the fixed effects of treatment, measurement time (repeated measure), and the interaction. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of treatment on rectal temperatures at birth. At all other measurement times, piglets on the Control treatment had lower (P < 0.05) rectal temperatures than those on the 3 Desiccant Product treatments, which had similar (P > 0.05) rectal temperatures. These results suggest that the 3 commercial desiccant products evaluated were equally effective at minimizing the extent and duration of piglet rectal temperature decline in the early postnatal period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of piglet birth weight and drying piglets at birth on post-natal rectal temperatures using a CRD with 2 treatments: 1) Drying (not dried vs. dried at birth with a desiccant); 2) Birth weight [4 within-litter birth weight quartiles (Q1: 1.13 ± 0.33 kg, Q2: 1.43 ± 0.28 kg, Q3: 1.62 ± 0.28 kg, Q4: 1.81 ± 0.28 kg)]. Sows (26) and litters (281 piglets) were randomly allotted to drying treatment and were housed in farrowing crates with a heat lamp; room temperature was set at 22.8°C. Piglets were weighed at birth and rectal temperature measured at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, and 1440 min after birth. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc. Cary, NC); the model included fixed effects of litter birth weight quartile and drying treatment and interaction, and time (repeated measure), and random effect of sow. Mean piglet birth weight and rectal temperature at birth were 1.49 ± 0.39 kg and 39.2 ± 0.43°C, respectively. There were no drying by birth weight treatment interactions. Temperatures were similar (P > 0.05) for the drying and birth weight treatments at birth and 240 and 1440 min (Table 1). Drying increased (P < 0.05) rectal temperature from 15 to 180 min; the greatest difference was at 45 min (2.4°C). Temperatures were similar (P > 0.05) for Q2, 3, and 4 from 15 to 180 min. Quartile 1 had a lower (P < 0.05) temperature than the 3 heavier quartiles from 15 to 180 min, except at 120 min when temperatures were similar for Q1 and 2. The lightest piglets exhibited the greatest post-natal temperature decline and drying of piglets at birth reduced the post-natal temperature decline in piglets of all weights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]