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Data from about 3 500 litters from three experimental units were used to quantify the effect of litter size (LS) and parity on milk production estimated from piglet growth rate.
On average, milk production reached 10.7 kg/day which is higher than most published results. Total milk production increased with LS, by about 0.75 kg/day per extra piglet, whereas the amount of milk available per piglet decreased, especially when LS exceeded 12 piglets. Milk production increased from parity 1 to 2, was the highest in parity 2 to 4 and decreased thereafter.
These results will contribute to a better estimation of milk production and consequently of the variability of nutrient requirement of lactating sows.
T.T. Ngo, N. Quiniou, S. Heugebaert, F. Paboeuf, J. Y. Dourmad. Influence du rang de portée et du nombre de porcelets allaités sur la production laitière des truies. 2012. Journées Recherche Porcine, 44, 195-196.
