Multiple Suckling Research Articles

PSIII-5 Impact of multiple suckling of litters during lactation on pre-weaning piglet performance

Abstract Multiple suckling involves the grouping of sows and litters so that piglets can suckle from all sows in the group. This approach could potentially reduce pre-weaning mortality and increase weaning weight. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of multiple- compared with single-suckling (Piglets having access to only one sow) on piglet pre-weaning performance. The study was carried out in a commercial farrowing facility using a RCBD (35 blocks; total of 210 litters and 2950 piglets). Blocking factors were farrowing date, sow parity, body condition score, and number of functional teats. Two treatments were compared: 1) Control (sow and litter kept in an individual farrowing crate/pen); 2) Multiple Suckled (group of 3 sows in individual crates with piglets having access to all 3 sows). The Multiple Suckled treatment was created at 5 d after birth by removing the pen dividers between 3 adjacent farrowing pens with the sows remaining in the farrowing crates. The study started at d 5 after birth and ended at weaning (19 ± 2 d of age). Piglet weights were collected after cross-fostering and at the end of study; all piglet mortalities were recorded. Data were analyzed using the glmer and lmer functions of R 4.2.1. The model included the fixed effect of treatment and the random effect of block. Average piglet weight at the end of study (5.11 vs. 5.18 kg, respectively) and average daily gain from start to end of study (191.4 vs. 195.2 g/d, respectively) were similar (P > 0.05) for the Multiple Suckled and Control treatments (Table 1). There was no difference (P > 0.05) between the treatments for pre-weaning mortality. These results suggest that under the conditions of this study there was no benefit in piglet pre-weaning performance from multiple compared with single suckling of litters.

Effect of Different Rearing during the Milk-Feeding Period on Growth of Dairy Calves

The objective was to determine the impact of calves’ rearing, gender, and the sire lineage on the growth and health. One hundred-and-five Holstein calves were assigned to one of three treatments: single suckling (SS), multiple suckling (MS), and artificially rearing in hutches (H). All calves received a comparable amount of milk/milk replacer (MR) across treatments. All calves were weaned at the 84th day. After weaning, all calves were separated by sex in age-balanced groups. At weaning, the highest body weight was in MS and the lowest in H (SS 94.97 kg, MS 109.85 kg, H 80.80 kg, p < 0.001). The average gains from the birth to weaning were 0.67 kg (SS), 0.81 kg (MS), 0.48 kg (H), (p < 0.001). A difference (p < 0.01) was found for the period from birth to 180th day of life (SS 0.75 kg, MS 0.82 kg, H 0.67 kg). We did not notice a gender differences (p > 0.05). The Sire 1 progeny showed a lower body weight at 180 days (p < 0.01) and 360 days (p < 0.05). The results indicate that the method used to rear calves and sire lines had a significant impact on their later performance.

The effect of suckling upon the endocrine changes associated with anoestrus in identical twin dairy cows

Summary. Identical twin pairs of dairy cows (one twin being placed with 4 calves for multiple suckling while the other was machine milked) were used to study the hormonal changes associated with anoestrus. Experiments were conducted to examine the effect of multiple suckling on the interval to first oestrus post partum, concentrations of LH and progesterone post partum, and the LH response to LH-RH or oestradiol-17β. The effects of hormone therapy on anoestrus were also examined.

Cross-sucking and other oral behaviours in calves, and their relation to cow suckling and food provision

Abnormal oral behaviour in calves is believed to develop when there is a lack of opportunity to suckle, but it is unclear whether they need access to their mother or whether a multiple suckling system will suffice to prevent this behaviour from developing. Therefore, in an initial experiment, the behaviour of calves that suckled their own mother or another cow for 15min each day was compared with that of artificially-reared calves which had no opportunity to suckle. Cows were mechanically milked twice daily, after which they were either suckled for 15min by their own calf (Treatment O), multiple-suckled by other cows’ calves (Treatment M) or unsuckled with the calves reared artificially (Treatment A). There was no difference between treatments in the time that calves spent consuming milk, but suckling calves consumed less milk than those reared artificially. The incidence of cross-sucking was greater for non-suckled calves (1.8 events/day) than for suckled calves (0.33 events/day, with no difference between Treatments O and M). In the non-suckled calves, cross-sucking was at its highest frequency 1min after the end of milk-feeding and declined linearly to negligible levels at 13min post-milk feeding. For calves in this treatment, most (78%) of the cross-sucking was directed at the inguinal region (especially the udder or scrotum) of other calves, whereas in suckled calves, most of the cross-sucking (81%) was directed at the mouths of other calves. The time spent consuming concentrate feed, and the amount of feed consumed, was greater for artificially-reared calves, compared with suckled calves, suggesting that food ingestion could provide a replacement stimulus. In a second experiment, it was observed that before weaning, the time that calves spent licking their pen or bucket increased until feed intake was sufficient to stimulate significant amounts of rumination, after which it declined. It is concluded that cross-sucking of artificially-reared calves, which is derived from motivation to perform sucking in the inguinal region, can be prevented by providing short access to either the calf’s dam or another cow for two short periods each day. In the absence of a cow to suckle, the calves lick inanimate objects repeatedly until the consumption of solid food stimulates rumination.

Fostering behaviour in New Zealand sea lions Phocarctos hookeri

The fostering behaviour of female New Zealand sea lions Phocarctos hookeri was studied to investigate simultaneously nursing of two or more pups. Surveys (n=44) documenting the frequency of this fostering behaviour found that it is uncommon with a mean of 6.0% (S.E.=0.5) of nursing females at any one time seen nursing two or more pups simultaneously. Most of the multiple suckling events (n= 149) observed were females simultaneously nursing two pups (78%), although three (20%) and four (2%) pups per female were also recorded. We used time spent nursing and a nursing index to investigate relative nursing times. Females seen to nurse more than one pup simultaneously (multiple nursers) spent significantly more time nursing and had a significantly higher nursing index than females seen to nurse only a single pup at any one time (single nursers). The impact of this on the female and her pup are unknown but could represent a significant increase in the cost of lactation over this period. Single nursers rejected almost all (95%) pups that attempted to suckle from them when there was already a pup suckling, while multiple nursers rejected less than half (46%) of the extra pups and appeared more tolerant of additional pups suckling. The mechanism through which this behaviour may have evolved has not been determined.

The Response of Islamic Jurisprudence To Ectopic Pregnancies, Frozen Embryo Implantation and Euthanasia

PIP: The opinions of the Jurisconsult of Egypt on Islamic law regarding test tube fertilization, embryo transfer and abortion are explained. Test tube babies, if not derived from the husband's sperm, are by definition, zina or the result of illicit sexual intercourse. This type of quasi-adultery is punishable by mere disgracing, rather than lapidation, or stoning to death. Such children cannot inherit even from the mother. Possibly, a female child may marry the husband, to be legitimized in terms of inheritance. Under Islamic law, embryo transfer is illegal insofar as it involves artificial insemination of the donor by the husband; temporary maternity by the donor is a jural concept that has no place in Islamic family law. The egg of the donor, not the surrogate mother, places the issue in the thorny area of multiple suckling. There have been no pronouncements by Islamic legal experts on euthanasia or pregnancy by in vitro fertilization of orphaned embryos. Abortion law ijhad in Kuwait was amended in 1982 to permit abortion where either grievous bodily harm to the mother is imminent or it is proved that the baby will suffer incurable brain damage or severe mental retardation. The decision must be approved unanimously by 3 Muslim consultant physicians presided over by an obstetrician or gynecologist, parental consent is required, and the hospital must have an obstetric-gynecological wing. There is precedent in Islamic law for saving the life of the mother where there is a clear choice of allowing either the fetus or the mother to survive. Similarly in case of miscarriage or attempted miscarriage, damages for a fetus or stillborn are less than those paid for a live birth. Penalties for therapeutic abortion, for example after exposure to German measles, have been viewed as less serious before 120 days of gestation, when the Prophet indicated that the embryo is given a soul. These ethical interpretations are worth considering for Western jurists as a source of ideas.

Effect of multiple suckling in early lactation on the performance of May-born calves

ABSTRACTIn three experiments, 16, 24 and 22, May-calving Aberdeen Angus × British Friesian cows were subjected either to single suckling of their natural calves or to single suckling in addition to ‘foster’ suckling for the first 8 to 9 weeks of lactation. Foster suckling was achieved by the removal of cows from pasture twice daily and suckling of male Friesian calves while cows were confined in a creep. Average milk yield per cow removed by foster suckling and milk secretion rates of individual cows were measured at intervals and cows were grazed at equal grazing pressure. Single plus foster suckling increased estimated total yield over single suckling proportionately by 0·55, 0·18 and 0·34 in the three experiments respectively. After foster calves were weaned, milk secretion rate of foster-suckling cows was always higher than that of naturally suckling cows. In addition to a mean yield of about 300 kg milk per cow to foster calves, single plus foster suckling increased calf gain in the natural calves in each experiment although the increases were not significant. The apparent conversion of extra milk consumed by natural calves in the single plus foster suckling treatment was generally low in relation to figures quoted in the literature.

The Response of Islamic Jurisprudence to Ectopic Pregnancies, Frozen Embryo Implantation and Euthanasia

The opinions of the Jurisconsult of Egypt on Islamic law regarding test tube fertilization, embryo transfer and abortion are explained. Test tube babies, if not derived from the husband's sperm, are by definition, "zina" or the result of illicit sexual intercourse. This type of quasi-adultery is punishable by mere disgracing, rather than lapidation, or stoning to death. Such children cannot inherit even from the mother. Possibly, a female child may marry the husband, to be legitimized in terms of inheritance. Under Islamic law, embryo transfer is illegal insofar as it involves artificial insemination of the donor by the husband; temporary maternity by the donor is a jural concept that has no place in Islamic family law. The egg of the donor, not the surrogate mother, places the issue in the thorny area of multiple suckling. There have been no pronouncements by Islamic legal experts on euthanasia or pregnancy by in vitro fertilization of orphaned embryos. Abortion law "ijhad" in Kuwait was amended in 1982 to permit abortion where either grievous bodily harm to the mother is imminent or it is proved that the baby will suffer incurable brain damage or severe mental retardation. The decision must be approved unanimously by 3 Muslim consultant physicians presided over by an obstetrician or gynecologist, parental consent is required, and the hospital must have an obstetric-gynecological wing. There is precedent in Islamic law for saving the life of the mother where there is a clear choice of allowing either the fetus or the mother to survive. Similarly in case of miscarriage or attempted miscarriage, damages for a fetus or stillborn are less than those paid for a live birth. Penalties for therapeutic abortion, for example after exposure to German measles, have been viewed as less serious before 120 days of gestation, when the Prophet indicated that the embryo is given a soul. These ethical interpretations are worth considering for Western jurists as a source of ideas.

HEAVY VEAL PRODUCTION WITH HOLSTEIN CALVES RAISED BY MULTIPLE SUCKLING OR MILK REPLACERS AND FATTENED WITH WHOLE CORN, BARLEY OR OATS

Three groups of 35 Holstein bull calves were raised by multiple suckling (MS) or a milk replacer fed as such (MR) or acidified to pH 5.4 (MRA). MS calves consumed more milk and starter and gained faster (P < 0.05) than those on the other treatments. Performance of MRA calves tended (P > 0.05) to be better than MR calves except for feed efficiency. The three rations fed during the fattening phase consisted of corn (three parts) plus protein supplement (one part), or barley or oats (four parts) and supplement (one part). The effect of adding hay was tested in the corn-fed group and found not to be useful since calves fed corn without hay showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher gains and feed efficiencies. A digestibility trial indicated lower dry matter and energy digestibility coefficients by calves fed oats while starch was less well digested by the barley-fed calves (P < 0.05). Acid detergent fiber was poorly digested particularly by oat- and barley-fed calves. During fattening, corn-fed calves had higher average daily gains (ADG), were more efficient, consumed less grain and reached slaughter weights faster than barley- or oat-fed calves. Barley- and oat-fed calves consumed significantly less protein supplement, and barley-fed calves (but not oat-fed calves) produced similar carcass weights and dressing percentages to corn-fed calves. Oat-fed calves stayed longer on experiment, had lower ADG, were less efficient and produced lighter carcasses with lower dressing percentages and slightly inferior classifications. Key words: Veal calves, multiple suckling, cereal grains, digestibility

Effects of multiple suckling by dairy heifers for short periods before and after calving on subsequent milk yields

The effects of multiple suckling by dairy heifers for short periods both before and after calving on milk production were studied. Results from heifers sucked by three calves per heifer for 1, 2, 3 and 4weeks after calving were pooled and a regression equation derived. This predicts that for each additional week that heifers are sucked in early lactation (up to 4 weeks), the post-suckling milk yield will be increased by 4.3 � 0.8% (mean � standard error) compared with similar heifers machine milked from the commencement of lactation. The sucking of heifers before calving did not enhance post-partum milk yields. However, the sucking of heifers for short periods after calving by calves that are being reared as dairy replacements offers a practical means of both increasing milk production, and possibly reducing the labour input of rearing the calves.

Improvement in milk production of first calf heifers by multiple suckling

Thirty Friesian heifers were alternately allocated to two groups as they calved at 2½–3 years of age. Calves were left with the heifers for 36 hr after calving, then machine-milked twice daily (group 1) or machine-milked at 0600 hours and suckled at 1500 hours (group 2) by an average of 1½ calves for the first 8 weeks of lactation. Heifers were restricted in a race while suckling. Heifers in group 2 (suckled) produced 16% more milk during the 300 day lactation than group 1 (milked) heifers. The difference in milk production was in excess of that removed by the calves whilst suckling. Suckling appears to promote a more complete milk 'let-down' in early lactation, thus preventing milk accumulation in the udder. Milk accumulation at this critical stage is believed to adversely affect subsequent milk production by damaging secretory tissue. The concentration of prolactin in peripheral blood was lower during suckling than during milking, and the degree of udder infection (mastitis) in the two groups did not differ significantly. Multiple suckling of cows in early lactation appears to be a worth-while practice, particularly with animals showing a nervous disposition. It also provides a convenient calf-rearing system, as milk is provided at an optimal temperature to the calf and with minimum chances of contamination.

Comparison of dairy and multiple suckled calf production with calf access restricted

The effects on animal performance were measured when machine milking was compared with restricted access suckling of four, three and two calves per cow, and when machine milking was alternated with restricted access multiple suckling. Calves were allowed access to cows twice daily, and supplementary grain feeding was provided to half the calves. A stimulus to milk and butterfat production from cows returning to machine milking after a period of suckling occurred, but was not significant. Cow breeding performance and liveweight changes were unaffected by the suckling treatments. Clinical mastitis did not occur during suckling in comparison with 36 cases of mastitis during machine milking. Teat damage in suckling cows in early lactation was the only cow health care problem of consequence, and was controllable by udder salves. The average daily liveweight gain to 140 days over all treatments was 0.735 kg. Grain supplementation pre-weaning increased liveweight gain from 0.71 kg to 0.76 kg day-1 (P < 0.05). Calf health was excellent, apart from some nutritional diahorrhea in unsupplemented calves. Neither enteritis nor deaths occurred in calves pre-weaning.

A method of animal identification in studies on multi-suckling behaviour

A practical inexpensive numbering device for cattle multiple suckling behaviour patterns is described and illustrated, which is visible from a distance at any angle of observation.

Rearing dairy beef calves by multiple suckling. 1. Effects of liveweight change, onset of oestrus and post-weaning milk production

Three experiments were conducted to study the effects of multiple suckling during early lactation on liveweight change, the interval to first postpartum oestrus, and post-weaning milk production of cows. The effects of liveweight change and butterfat production during the first six weeks of lactation on the interval to first postpartum oestrus in milked cows were studied in a fourth experiment. Multiple suckling caused greater liveweight loss in suckled cows during the first six months of lactation and stimulated postweaning milk production in two out of three experiments. Multiple suckling also delayed the onset of first postpartum oestrus. In experiment 4 the correlations of liveweight change and butterfat production with interval to first postpartum oestrus were low and non-significant. As suckled and milked cows received the same nutritional treatment, these results indicated that suckling per se, rather than nutritional effects, was the likely factor responsible for the delay in first postpartum oestrus in multiple suckled cows. A possible relationship between the stimulatory effect of suckling and plane of nutrition, and the application of the multiple suckling system to the dairy farm situation are discussed.

Rearing dairy beef calves by multiple suckling. 2. Effects on liveweight gain of calves

Three experiments were conducted in which dairy cows multiple suckled beef x dairy cross calves during early lactation. After weaning calves grazed nitrogen fertilized kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum). In the first experiment each cow suckled two, three or four calves for 12 weeks. Pre-weaning calf growth rate increased significantly (P < 0.01) as the number of calves suckled was reduced, In the second experiment, calves suckled at three per cow for 6, 9 or 12 weeks gained at similar rates to weaning, reaching weaning liveweights of 52, 64 and 72 kg respectively. Neither the number of calves suckled in experiment 1 nor the length of the suckling period in experiment 2 significantly affected post-weaning growth rates. In the third experiment there was no significant difference between the growth rates of calves sired by Friesian and Angus bulls. After weaning, stocking rate treatments were imposed, there being a significant (P < 0.05) but small linear decline in growth rate as stocking rate was increased. The post-weaning growth rates of calves in all three experiments were poor when compared with growth rates reported for calves grazing temperate pastures.