This study, published in July, clarifies the advantages and disadvantages of these practices.
To fully valorize the hyperprolific potential of their sows, farms often practice early adoption and/or socialization (mixing two or more litters at a few days old by removing the walls of adjacent farrowing crates). However, it is often challenging to precisely evaluate the impact of these practices on the growth, mortality, and well-being of the piglets, as well as the body condition and milk production of the sow. Conducted by the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) in Brazil, the performance of sows and their litters were compared across four distinct groups, distributed as follows:
- As many piglets as functional teats. No socialization between litters.
- One more piglet than the number of functional teats. No socialization between litters.
- As many piglets as functional teats. Early socialization of piglets at 24 hours of age.
- One more piglet than the number of functional teats. Early socialization of piglets at 24 hours of age.
Many parameters were analyzed in this study: the body condition of the sows, possible scratches or signs of fighting, milk production, the growth of litters and piglets, and mortality.
The table below summarizes the main advantages and disadvantages resulting from this study:
Looking more closely, piglets that were nursed in litters where the number of teats matched the number of piglets without socialization had a significantly higher weaning weight, suggesting that additional piglets and mixed litters disrupt their growth. However, when piglets are socialized, there is no significant difference in weaning weight between these two groups. Piglet socialization seems to mitigate the impact of additional piglets on weaning weight.
In summary, this study highlights that nursing an extra piglet compared to the number of functional teats could be beneficial to increase the number of piglets weaned per litter and make the most of the sow’s milk production capabilities. While litter weight remains similar with or without an extra piglet, the individual weight of piglets at 20 days is lower, and heterogeneity within the litter is greater.
Regarding early socialization, it does not impact the number of piglets weaned, their mortality rate, or their growth. However, more significant udder lesions were observed in the sows, as well as more frequent lesions on the heads and joints of piglets.
Nevertheless, this study suggests that mixing two litters together could mitigate the adverse impacts of additional piglets on the reduction of piglet weights and their heterogeneity, thereby optimizing piglet weights in the case of large litters. However, careful management will be necessary to limit lesions on piglets and sows’ udders.
Thus, this study provides valuable insights to optimize breeding management according to one’s context and production goals.
Reference : G.P. Zanin, L. Santos, D.M.S. Tomm, D.F. Silveira, F.P. Bortolozzo, R.R. Ulguim, A.P.G. Mellagi. Sow and litter performance after cross-fostering one surplus piglet and co-mingling the litters at early lactation. Animal 18 (2024), 101247
- In this trial, socialization likely “give piglets the opportunity to suckle sows other than their mother. Lower milk production is the main reason that piglets become ‘cross-sucklers’, and cross-sucklers are able to search for sows with higher milk production and to have a preference for more productive teats. This may be beneficial for their growth” (Van Kerschaver, 2023)
- These practices are studied here only up to weaning. Early socialization, for example, has demonstrated its usefulness in some cases to facilitate adaptation post-weaning.
- The practices mentioned above are not the only strategies available to improve performance, and they are not necessarily suitable for all situations, farming contexts, or facilities.
