Effects of pre-weaning housing in a multi-suckling system on performance and carbohydrate absorption of relatively light and heavy piglets around weaning

Abstract

The low feed intake and stress associated with abrupt weaning in conventional pig farming often result in poor post-weaning performance, which is related to impaired intestinal function. We investigated effects of housing conditions before weaning on performance around weaning of relatively light and heavy piglets. Before weaning, piglets were housed either with five sows and their litters in a multi-suckling (MS) system or in pens with individually housed sows in farrowing crates (FC). After weaning at 4 weeks of age (day 0), 16 groups of four piglets (two light and two heavy litter-mates) were housed under equal conditions in enriched pens. Mannitol (day -5 and day 5) and galactose (day 5) were orally administered as markers for gastrointestinal carbohydrate absorption, and after 20 min a blood sample was taken (sugar absorption test). In addition, BW, feed intake and faecal consistency as an indicator for diarrhoea, were assessed frequently during 2 weeks post-weaning. Pre-weaning housing, weight class and their interaction did not affect post-weaning faecal consistency scores. Weight gain over 2 weeks did not differ between pre-weaning housing treatments, but MS piglets gained more (0.67±0.12 kg) than FC piglets (0.39±0.16 kg) between days 2 and 5 post-weaning, P=0.02), particularly in the 'heavy' weight class (interaction, P=0.04), whereas feed intake was similar for both treatments. This indicates a better utilisation of the ingested feed of the MS piglets compared with the FC piglets in the early post-weaning period. Pre-weaning mannitol concentrations were unaffected by pre-weaning housing, weight class and their interaction. On day 5 post-weaning, however, MS piglets had a lower plasma concentration of mannitol (320 v. 592 nmol/ml, SEM=132, P=0.04) and galactose (91 v. 157 nmol/ml, SEM=20, P=0.04) than FC piglets, regardless of weight class. In conclusion, MS and FC piglets differed in aspects of post-weaning gastrointestinal carbohydrate absorption and in weight gain between days 2 and 5 after weaning, but pre-weaning housing did not affect feed intake, weight gain and measures of faecal consistency over the first 2 weeks after weaning.

Effect of starting time of co-mingling non-littermates during lactation on performance and skin lesions of sows and piglets

“…A possible explanation could be that the piglets might cope better with social stress at weaning, resulting in a reduction of stressors which in turn positively affects gut health by a better utilisation of feed and consequently performance of the piglets in the early postweaning period. Recent research of van Nieuwamerongen et al (2018) highlighted the impact of pre-weaning housing conditions such as co-mingling non-littermates in a multi-suckling system on intestinal function in piglets immediately after weaning, evidenced by a better feed conversion between day 2 and 5 post-weaning and differences in gastrointestinal carbohydrate absorption. Moreover, lower prevalence of aggressive behaviour is associated with a better feed conversion ratio in piglets (Pierozan et al, 2021).…”

Weaning-associated feed deprivation stress causes microbiota disruptions in a novel mucin-containing in vitro model of the piglet colon (MPigut-IVM)

“…Reduced feed intake after weaning is variable from 24 h to 4 d depending of individuals [ 14 ] and has been reported to be the most important factor compromising intestinal barrier function ahead of dietary change [ 15 ]. The lack of nutrients in the intestine of piglets may contribute to intestinal inflammation and changes in intestinal morphology such as reduced villus height and increased intestinal permeability which facilitate the crossing of the mucus layer and the intestinal epithelial barrier by toxins and bacteria [ 3 , 12 , 16 ]. This mucus layer is a permeable gel overlying intestinal epithelial cells, separating them from gut luminal content, including commensal bacteria and invading pathogens [ 17 ].…”

Reducing Weaning Stress in Piglets by Pre-Weaning Socialization and Gradual Separation from the Sow: A Review

“…In the experiment by Rantzer et al (1997) [122], in which a multi-suckling system was compared with a conventional housing system, the average diarrhea score did not differ after weaning, despite the fact that the peak excretion of hemolytic E. coli was delayed in piglets from the multi-suckling system. The fecal consistency scores after weaning also did not differ between pigs reared in a multi-litter system and a conventional system in the study of van Nieuwamerongen et al (2018) [124]. However, in the study, lower plasma sugar concentrations such as mannitol and galactose were observed on day 5 after weaning in pigs raised in the multi-litter system.…”