Effect of restricted suckling on growth performance and behaviour of crossbred piglets

Present study was planned to acclimatize the pre-weaned piglet for stress tolerance through restricted suckling with or without mother's visibility for improved piglet and through stress tolerance. For this, 244 piglets from 36 pregnant crossbred sows (Landrace × Desi), with 18 sows each, during summer season having 147 piglets and during winter season having 97 piglets were used. Eighteen sows along with their piglets were randomly distributed in 3 treatment groups viz. T₀ (No restriction), T₁ (restricted suckling with mother's visibility) and T₂ (restricted suckling without mother's visibility) for the above said study for 3 months. A total of 15 minutes time was allotted for suckling of piglets in T₁ and T₂ group. Different records pertaining to body weight, feed intake, behaviour and growth parameter of piglets were recorded up to 3 months of age. At the end of the study period, body weight of piglets showed non-significant difference between the treatment groups. Grower feed intake during post-weaning (after 42 days) period showed significant difference (P<0.01) during winter season with highest value observed in T₂ group. In rest of the period, non-significant difference was observed for all the treatment groups both during summer and winter season. Higher values for suckling behaviour was recorded for T₁ and T₂ groups than T₀. From the present study, restricted suckling without mother's visibility may be recommended at farm level for quick adaptation of piglets after weaning.