The effect of piglet birthweight on weaning weight, preweaning mortality and preweaning diseases

New-born piglets, on one intensive unit, were allocated to one of three gro ups based on their weight at birth. Group one comprised 87 piglets weighing between 0.8-1.1 kg, Group two 423 piglets (1.2-1.4 kg) and Group three 249 piglets (greater than or equal to 1.5 kg). The outcome measures were weani ng weight, pre-weaning mortality rate (%) and the incidence of preweaning d iseases. Piglets in Group one had significantly lower weaning weights compa red to Group two (p<0.05) and to Group three (p<0.01). The preweaning morta lity rate was significantly greater (p<0.01) in Group one compared with tha t in the other two groups. The incidence of pre-weaning diseases was signif icantly greater (p<0.01) in Group one than in Groups two and three. There w as also a significant (p<0.05) difference in this respect between Groups tw o and three. The results indicate that piglets with low birth weights have a greater risk of death and disease in the preweaning period and have lower weaning weights.