Desempenho de leitegadas após a uniformização cruzada de leitões entre fêmeas de ordem de parto 1 e 5 / Performance of litter after crossfostering of piglets between females of parity order 1 and 5

ABSTRACT

Crossfostering is the transference of piglets to either equalize litter size or to formation of homogeneous litters according to the birth weight. It is used in order to improve survival rate and weight gain of piglets during lactation. Several aspects influence the results of crossfostering, as the moment when this management is performed, size of the piglets and parity order (PO) of biological and adoptive dams. Crossfostering should be performed, preferably between six and 24 h after farrowing, before teat order has been established and so that piglets can absorb the maximum of colostrum immunoglobulins from their biological dams. Performance and viability of piglets during lactation depends on the quality of colostrum and milk production of biological and adoptive dam, which varies according to PO. The aim of the experiment was to assess the performance of biological and adopted piglets crossfostered in PO 1 and PO 5 females.[...](AU)