The effect of parity number on the growth performance of piglets around weaning

Abstract

In this study, authors examined the effects of parity number on piglet weight gain around weaning. The research was carried out on a Hunagrian pig farm on the litters of 3 first parity (P1) and 3 second parity (P2) Landrace x Large White sows. The traits examined were individual weight, weight gain, and number of deaths. A total of 90 piglets were individually weighed 9 times. Thus, measurements were taken at 1 day of age, at 10, 20, 26, 28, 29, 30, 36, and 47 days of age. Weaning occured on the 28th day. The difference in weight can be seen as early as 1 day of age between the piglets of the two groups (290 grams). The 1-day average weight of piglets in the P1 group was 1.20 kg, and the average weight of piglets of P2 sows was 1.49 kg (P <0.05). The observed difference remained until the end of the study, it was 2650 grams at 47 days of age. At this time, the mean weight of the piglets of P1 sows was 12.13 kg, while the average weight of the piglets of P2 sows was 14.78 kg (P <0.05). In terms of weight gains, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups over four periods, including the post weaning periode. During this period, however, weight loss occurred. The weight of the piglets of P1 sows fell to a greater extent. In their case, the average daily weight loss at that time was 185 g. The other group had a weight loss of 80 g over the same period. Several of the piglets (95.2%) of P1 sows lost weight on the day after weaning while 73.5% of the piglets of P2 sows showed weight loss on this day. Based on the results it can be said that piglets of P1 sows are more sensitive to weaning than piglets of P2 sows. At the last measurement time point, there was no statistically significant difference between the performances of the two groups. There is a moderate association (R2=0.22) between the weight gains measured in the pre- and post-weaning period, with the weight of individuals gaining more in the pre-weaning period falling to a greater extent after weaning. There was a higher mortality rate among the piglets of the P2 sows. The weak piglets died in the first 4 weeks of the trial except for 1 piglet.