Abstract
The objective of the present study was to determine low-birthweight cross fostered piglets performance and suckling behaviour when grouped with high-birthweight or average-birthweight littermates in small or large litters. Within small litters either with high- or average-birthweight littermates, the low-birthweight piglets' behavioural variables did not differ ( P>0.05) significantly. In contrast to small litters, low-birthweight piglets in large litters missed more nursing episodes and spent more time in “teat disputes” than their heavier littermates both in high-birthweight ( P<0.01) and average-birthweight (P<0.05) litters. Relative weight of littermates had a significant effect on low-birthweight piglets mortality both in large litters with high- ( P<0.001) and average-birthweight ( P<0.05) littermates. Weight gain of piglets until day 3 post partum was not significantly ( P>0.05) affected by litter type and litter size, or the interaction of litter type and litter size. Low-birthweight piglets in small litters with high- or average-birthweight littermates had significantly higher 21-day weights compared to low-birthweight piglets in large litters. High-birthweight ( P<0.001) and average-birthweight piglets ( P<0.01) gained significantly more by day 21 of lactation than low-birthweight piglets in large litters. The criteria measured are then mainly affected by litter size, and secondary by the weight of littermates in the large litters only.
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