EFFECT OF LITTER SIZE AT FIRST AND SECOND FARROWING ON CUMULATIVE SOW PRODUCTIVITY ON A COMMERCIAL FARM IN YUCATAN, MEXICO

Abstract

Background. Litter size reduction at second farrowing (RSP) affects cumulative productivity per productive life of sows. Objective. To compare groups of sows according to their classification by number of piglets born alive (LNV) at first farrowing and reduction or increase of LNV at second farrowing on the number of farrowings at culling (NPD), cumulative LNV and weaned per productive life of sows in a commercial farm in the eastern zone of Yucatan, Mexico. Methodology. Data from 404 culled sows were used. Six groups of sows were established: low number of LNV at first farrowing with RSP (B-RSP), low with increased number of LNV at second farrowing (B-ISP), medium with RSP (M-RSP), medium with ISP (M-ISP), high with RSP (A-RSP) and high with ISP (A-ISP). The response variables were NPD, cumulative piglets born alive during the productive life of the sows (LNVP) and cumulative piglets weaned during the productive life of the sows (LDVP). Results. No difference was found between the different sow groups for NPD and LDVP (P>0.05). The lowest number of LNVP was obtained in sows of groups B-RSP and B-ISP (P<0.05). Conclusion. Under the conditions of this study, NPD and LDVP of sows during their stay on the farm were not affected by RSP or ISP. LNVP was not affected by reduction or increase of piglets at second farrowing in sows with small litters at first farrowing.

Keywords

• primíparas
• productividad
• reproducción
• trópico.