Correct handling of large litters for maximum performance
Success in managing hyper prolific DanBred genetics is reliant on the correct management of piglets and large litters. As a result of the successful development in litter size, knowing how to rear the additional pigs is necessary to capture the full production potential of the DanBred female.
Successful management of litter equalisation, where excess piglets from large litters are distributed among sows with smaller litters, is a critical management step. Nurse sows, where excess piglets from large litters are placed with a foster mother is essential to improve the number of full value weaned pigs.
Success when cross-fostering piglets
The correct management of litter equalisation and setup of nurse sows to raise additional piglets from hyper prolific sows will increase the number of weaned pigs per sow per year, increase growth rates and reduce weight variations among piglets.
Results have shown that the use of nurse sows will give a significant increase in average daily gain as well as weight at weaning (Thorup & Nielsen, 2017).
The fact that a sow has been fostering excess piglets from large litters does not affect the subsequent litter performance, on the contrary, results from nearly 80,000 farrowings where sows raising their piglets were compared to nurse sows raising excess piglets from large litters, showed an increase of 0.57 total born piglets in subsequent litters of the nurse sows (Bruun et. al., 2015).
Furthermore, it has shown that nurse sows do not suffer from stress any more than other sows during lactation (Amdi et. al., 2017).
It is imperative for success with nurse sows to focus on the correct nurse sow selection- this important management strategy will help to ensure the maximization of quality weaned piglets.
A successful system is the 2-step-foster sow where the piglets from a sow 21 days into lactation are weaned (intermediate sow). This sow receives the full litter from a sow which farrowed 4-7 days ago (foster sow).
Newborn piglets from large litters are then placed with the foster sow. Piglet mortality with the 2-step sow was significantly lower and weight at weaning was significantly higher when comparing nurse sow systems in a Danish setup (Thorup & Sørensen, 2017).
When working with nurse sow systems it is important to focus on health and never move piglets if it can compromise the health- if in doubt consult the herd veterinarian.
Always choose sows in good body condition that is eating well, with healthy large piglets, as she must be able to tolerate the extended lactation period.