Husbandry Components in Prenatal and Perinatal Development in Swine

Abstract

The biological data support the conclusion that healthy pigs undersized at birth are equal to their littermates in production capacities. Dedication and consistent perserverance are required at farrowing and during the early post-natal period. Utilization of knowledge of the role of genetics, health status, nutrition and non-nutritive substances and husbandry requirements during both gestation and post-natally are required for maximum success. As long as 35 to 45% of the ovulated eggs fail to be represented by live pigs at birth and 20 to 30% of the live pigs at birth die before weaning, husbandry techniques that improve perinatal development and survival will continue to offer a means by which production can be improved and profits increased. Copyright © 1974. American Society of Animal Science. Copyright 1974 by American Society of Animal Science.