Associations between litter size and medical treatment of sows during farrowing and lactation

Abstract

Sow litter sizes have increased recently, and there is a lack of data on the effect of litter size on sow health and sow medical treatment. This study investigated associations between litter size and medical treatment of sows, using data for a 10-year period from one Swedish research farm. The data comprised 1947 litters from 655 Yorkshire sows. Association between litter size and medical treatment of sows during farrowing and lactation investigated using a multivariable multilevel logistic regression model. We found that odds of medical treatment of sows decreased for each additional piglet born up to five piglets (odds ratio 0.50, p = .002). For litter sizes >= 5, the odds for each additional piglet born (odds ratio 1.11, p < .001). Problems with milk let-down in early lactation were the main reason for treatment. Results imply that sows with very small or very large litters may be less profitable.

Keywords

Health; welfare; pig; piglet; postpartum dysgalactia syndrome

Published in

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science
2020, volume: 69, number: 3, pages: 176-182
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS AS

SLU Authors

• Andersson, Emma

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Westin, Rebecka

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Farm and Animal Health

• Algers, Bo

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Gunnarsson, Stefan

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09064702.2020.1779800

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/106980