Farrowing management – Combining litters before weaning

Objective
	To enhance post-weaning growth and socialisation
	To reduce post-weaning disorders by reducing stress of weaning
	To provide a more natural weaning environment
	To reduce finishing variability and feed costs
Background
	Piglets will start exploring outside the farrowing nest and start comingling with other litters, especially adjacent farrowing nests, about day 10
	Gangs on piglets from various litters (sounders) combine into large groups by day 14
	Note: This is normal on outdoor units
Fenders in place entry to day 10 Piglets explore arc and then the fender area				Fenders removed day 10 piglets start exploring with mum			Gangs of piglets with and without mum running around day 14 to weaning
Benefits of combining litters
	There appears to be little change in total litter weaning weight
	However, smaller piglets will have more “teats” to steal milk from
					Combined litters have a greater mass to surface area meaning they can conserve heat better than smaller litters			More forgiving in cases of stockmanship errors such as poor heat mat placement as shown
	Use of heat mats is more efficient, especially useful as removing the central barrier increases the surface area available for the litters
	Creep feeding, which should start post day 14 only, is easier:
		Less trays to fill – one tray does 4 litters
		Less waste
		Enhanced hygiene
	Removal of boards between litters means they can be cleaned and moved outside to allow exposure to sun light and UV – thus enhanced cleaning routines. Less time cleaning pre-entry. Boards can be soaked and cleaned at more convenient times
	Reduced need for cross-fostering
	Allows more room for the piglets, especially for larger litters – weaning more than 10+ or for liquid feeding systems with heavier piglets 9+ kg
	Allows additional room if weaning age is extended i.e. moving from 18 days to 24 days
Post-weaning
	The post-weaning feed intake increased
	The post-weaning growth rate increased
	Days to finish reduced – better flow management of buildings
	Reduced number of piglets demonstrating post-weaning ill thrift or starvation
	Socialisation of piglets post-weaning enhanced
	The impact of the cross infection of nasal “pathogens” post-weaning is reduced as piglets have greater exposure to these various strains while under maternal colostrums
Technique
Pop hole between litters			Per 5 farrowing crates
			Gilts may be left with a single litter to encourage lactation feed intake – vital to reduce post-weaning wean to service intervals
3 week batch situation post-weaning
	This offers a unique opportunity. By combining litters on day 14 means that when the sows are weaned on day 24 the larger group of piglets can be left behind in the farrowing room for an extra week. But gruel and creep feeding is much easier. Thus reducing post-weaning ill thrift. Reduced time spent feeding multiple smaller groups
	For use in the period between sows leaving and 50+ weaners leaving a week later.
Disadvantages
	Avoid combining before day 10 – increases pre-weaning mortality
	Sows or gilts may start to abandon litters – lazy sows – consider culling
	Other better mums do all the work (obviously keep – selected for future)
	Watch sow and gilt feed intake
	Watch for fall back piglets – although generally less
	Cannot be used in all rooms – rooms where dividers cannot be removed
	Draughts may move down house more efficiently. But these should be removed anyway – all air movement above 0.2m/s should be avoided in the piglet sleeping area