The implications of piglet temperature at birth and at 24 hours of age on survival

摘要

Pre-weaning mortality is a growing problem in industry. Increased selection for large litters has negative side effects such as increased litter weight variation and more piglets born with anoxia (Alonso-Spilsbury et al., 2005). Low birth weight and anoxic piglets have reduced chance of survival, lower growth rates and lower viability compared to higher birth weight piglets (Milligan et al., 2002). Temperature can be an indicator of vitality and survival; piglets with lower birth temperatures often have reduced vigour. Piglets with reduced vigour take longer to gain access to the sow and therefore do not get the energy they need for thermogenesis (Herpin et al., 2002). The aim of this study was to determine whether the temperature of piglets at birth and 24 hours of age affected their survival.