EFFECTS OF EXTENSIVE CROSSFOSTERING ON PERFORMANCE OF PIPS ON A FARM

Objective-To compare mortality and growth rates of pigs subjected to c ontinuous or limited crossfostering. Design-Prospective study. Animals -80 litters containing 879 pigs. Procedure-in half of the litters, cro ssfostering was limited to the first 2 days of life. In the other litt ers, pigs were crossfostered throughout the lactation period to mainta in uniform body weights within litters. Results-Restricting crossfoste ring to the first 2 days of life resulted in a 20% increase in body we ight at weaning, compared with crossfostering throughout the nursing p eriod. Mortality rates did not differ between the limited and continuo us crossfostering groups. Clinical Implications-The emphasis placed on reducing variation of body weights within litters is unwarranted and veterinarians should advise limiting crossfostering to the first 2 day s of life. Excessive crossfostering late in the nursing period may be identified by low within-litter SD of mean body weight.