Biological and Management Factors Affecting Colostrum Intake and Pre-Weaning Survival in Piglets

Abigail K Jenkins, William L Flowers

A total of 581 piglets from 45 litters were used in an observational study to evaluate the relative importance of sow, litter, birth, and individual piglet characteristics on colostrum consumption and its association with nursing behaviors and pre-weaning survival. Sows were monitored continuously throughout parturition with farrowing and birth characteristics being recorded for each piglet. Nursing observations and skin temperatures for piglets were taken every 15 to 30 minutes after the onset of farrowing until sows expelled their placentae, after which, observations occurred hourly for the next four hours and then at 24 and 36 hours post farrowing. At approximately 36 hours post farrowing, blood samples were taken from piglets to determine immunocrit levels and estimate colostrum consumption by piglets. Nine variables entered the multiple regression model at P< 0.15 and accounted for over 58% of the total variation observed for immunocrits. Colostrum consumption was least (P < 0.0403) in piglets from litters with more than 16 total pigs born and from sows that averaged less than 10 pigs born alive in previous parities. Piglets that weighed more than 1.6 kg; spent less than 60 minutes in utero during farrowing; and nursed the 5 most anterior pairs of teats after farrowing had increased (P< 0.0632) immunocrits that were 0.060 or greater (P = 0.0005) and a pre-weaning survival of 88.9 + 1.3%. Conversely, being born in a litter with more than 16 total born; with a birth weight of less than 1.2 kg; and lethargic increased (P< 0.0413) the risk of piglets dying. On the day of farrowing, survival was least (P < 0.0001) for piglets whose skin temperatures decreased below 30oC; took more than 60 minutes to initiate nursing activity; and then suckled only one pair of teats infrequently (< 50% of nursing bouts) from the time they were born until four hours after farrowing was complete. These results indicate that low birth weight, lethargic, and chilled piglets were the most at-risk for low colostrum consumption and increased pre-weaning mortality. Piglets that began nursing quickly and frequently after birth and nursed the anterior and middle teat pairs, had the greatest immunocrits and survival.