INFLUENCE OF WEANING AGE ON THE BEHAVIOURAL PATTERNS AND PRODUCTION TRAITS OF CROSSBRED PIGLETS AND WEANED SOWS
Loading...
Date
2003-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY , TIRUPATI – 517 502 (A.P) INDIA
Abstract
ABSTRACT :
Three groups of piglets with a number of 24 piglets from 3 farrowed sows having similar litter size in each group were weaned at 28, 42 and 56 days (control) of age used in a completely randomized design for the post-weaning behaviour and growth studies of piglets. The group difference in exhibition of playing and tail biting was observed, where the early weaned piglets had spent significantly (P < 0.01) more time than other test group and control group. All the piglets had exhibited the behavioural traits of playing, fighting, tail biting, standing and locomotion mostly between 8 AM to 4 PM where as lying was mostly exhibited during early morning and late evening. There exists a significant (P < 0.01) difference in growth rates between test groups in comparision to control group, where the piglets weaned at 28 days in group 1 had shown the least growth rates. No significant difference was observed in the DM intake, ADG and FCR. The FCR was marginally lower in early weaned piglets compared to group 2 and control. Significantly (P < 0.01) lower digestibility co-efficients of DM, CP, EE, CF and NFE were observed for the early weaned piglets than the piglets weaned at 42 days which were comparable with the control group. The TDN and DE intakes were significantly (P < 0.01) lower in group I. Group 2 piglets were comparable in per cent TDN and DE intake with the conventional 56 days of weaned piglets. The protein : energy ratios were 1:17, 1:18 and 1:18 for group 1, 2 and control respectively. The DCP and DE intakes and its ratio was much inferior than the requirements of NRC (1998).
Three groups each consisting of 3 cross bred (LWY x desi ) sows of 2nd farrowing with similar body weights were selected and the study was conducted in a Completely Randomized Design to assess the farrowing behaviour and certain maternal behavioural traits due to the effect of weaning. The mean time spent by the farrowed sows for resting, lying on stomach, standing, locomotion and vocalization were 277.10, 72.22, 44.33, 16.99 and 11.33 mts, respectively. Significantly (P < 0.01) more time was spent by the 2nd test group on vocalization than group 1 and comparable with the control group. Significantly (P < 0.01) more time was spent by the farrowed sows on ventral recumbency a day before farrowing and on lateral recumbency after farrowing. The mean litter size was 9.99 and the time taken for the birth of litter was 46.55 ± 5.5 mts. The birth interval was not significantly influenced either by litter size and birth weights and the mean birth interval time recorded was 4.61 ± 0.46 mts. The mean value of 91.22 ± 7.14 mts was recorded for the shedding of placenta after farrowing and the mean total farrowing time was 137.77 ± 11.34 mts by the 9 sows. No significant effect on the farrowing behavioural traits was observed due to the increase in litter size or weight. All the piglets have shown their priority to the anterior teat of sows. The mean body weight loss of 11.39 kg which included 10.85 kg of mean litter weight and 500 g of placental membranes along with fluids. .
The changes in maternal behavioural traits in response to the weaning effect was significantly (P < 0.01) observed in group I for standing and group 2 in locomotion. The response to the weaning on the other maternal behavioural traits like resting, lying on stomach and vocalization was non-significant among the days of observation and within groups.
The 42 days weaned sows had lost 4.04 kg and control group sows had lost 13.7 kg body weights which were higher than the early weaned sows, (group 1). The weight loss up to weaning had increased with the higher litter size. The onset of oestrus in early weaned sows was 17 days against 14 days for 2 and control groups. The time taken for the onset of oestrus after farrowing was significantly (P < 0.01) lower (45 days) in group 1 than 2 (56 days) and control group (70 days). The early weaning had much beneficial effects with least adverse effects on the behavioural aspects of sows and growth rates of piglets and within the test groups, weaning at 42 days of age was found to be superior
Description
Keywords
WEANING AGE; piglets; BEHAVIOURAL PATTERNS; PRODUCTION TRAITS