Effect of environmental temperature on suckling pigs and a study of the milk yield of the sow

Abstract

1. A study was made of the performance of eight litters of pigs housed under two widely different levels of ambient temperature during the suckling period and under uniform conditions from weaning to 200 lb. live weight. 2. There was no significant treatment difference in the amount of milk suckled, but the pigs exposed to the lower temperature consumed more solid food before weaning. 3. Up to weaning those kept at the higher temperature were the more efficient converters of milk and solid food into live weight. 4. There was a highly significant correlation between milk suckled and live-weight gain. 5. Probably through excessive handling, the pigs were under weight at weaning, but the postweaning performance appeared to be unaffected by the pre-weaning treatment. 6. The average milk yield of six sows from the 3rd to the 56th day of lactation was 275 kg. 605 lb.) (variations 202–347 kg. (445–764 lb.)). Yields have been compared with others published. 7. After allowing for maintenance requirements and weight gain or loss it is estimated that the sows required 412 Calories of net energy to produce 1 lb. of milk.