Effect of teat order on piglet rearing results of native Złotnicka White breed

Abstract

Abstract. Observations of animal behaviour during the first three weeks of life revealed the existence of a specific correlation between the use of individual teats by suckling piglets and successive pairs of teats. Therefore, it appeared justified to undertake experiments with the aim to study relationships between the use of teats by individual piglets and the results of their rearing, focusing in particular on small-sized domestic breeds. The experimental animal material comprised 20 litters which derived from 20 randomly selected sows of a native swine breed. The scope of the performed observations and analyses of parameters included: frequency of approaching the preferred teats, number and body weight of piglets, body weight gains as well as mortality of piglets throughout the rearing period.