Lignocellulose helps shorten farrowing time
Marzo de
2020
Autores:
Dr. Christine Potthast
Dr. Stefan Hirtenlehner
Publicado en:
Pig Progress
Volume 36
No. 3, 2020
Dr. Christine Potthast
Dr. Stefan Hirtenlehner
Publicado en:
Pig Progress
Volume 36
No. 3, 2020
More than 3 minutes
More than 3 minutes – that is the gain in time piglets were observed to have in Austria during a smooth birth process. The 3 minutes of being born quicker means 3 minutes less struggle and getting access to colostrum and oxygen 3 minutes earlier.
Now, how to get there?
Recent genetic progress achieved in sows poses a major challenge to management. Many hurdles need to be overcome to make modern pig production as efficient and profitable as possible. Regarding piglet rearing, there is a rule of thumb that seems quite plausible at first glance: more piglets means more profit. Therefore, the breeding goal is to have as many piglets per litter as possible. However, on-farm, increased litter size is often accompanied by low piglet birth weights and increased piglet mortality. Consequently, the pig producer should not aim to have as many newborn piglets as possible, but rather to raise as many robust, viable and competitive weaners as possible.
An underestimated factor of success
Exploiting the full genetic potential and producing large litters of live-born piglets is still possible if enough resources are given to management and if proper, well-balanced sow nutrition is guaranteed. Large litters are closely related to prolonged farrowing duration. A long parturition time carries the risk of many negative consequences, with the most obvious one being long exposure to pain and a stressful period for both the sows and the piglets. Furthermore, a prolonged farrowing time increases the proportion of stillborn piglets. According to Professor Peter Kappel Theil of Aarhus University, Denmark, extending a birthing period by 100 minutes means the loss of 2 piglets or more. The longer the struggle to pass through the birth canal, the more the piglet is exhausted and disadvantaged compared to highly vital piglets. Those highly active piglets will find the mother’s teats earlier and profit from early feeding which, in turn, beneficially influences gut growth and gut development. Farrowing duration can affect colostrum yield and therefore is directly linked to an optimal supply to the newborn piglets of energy and immunoglobulins (Ig). Just 3 hours after birth, the permeability of the piglet gut for Ig is already reduced to 50%. Furthermore, a prolonged farrowing time correlates with reduced fertility of sows due to prolonged placenta expulsion. Management of the farrowing time can influence all of these consequences to a certain extent.
