Observations on the behaviour of suckling pigs

Abstract

Summary

• 1.

  The suckling behaviour of eight litters is described. The average duration of initial massage of the udder by the piglets, milk-ejection and final massage per nursing, for six complete lactations, was 60.5 sec., 14.2 sec. and 149.3 sec. respectively.

• 2.

  An apparent correlation was found between the total time spent on massage at each nursing and total milk yield.

• 3.

  The effect of the position adopted by the sows at nursing times on udder massage and milk yield is discussed.

• 4.

  Lactation curves of the sows were of a different shape from those of cows and sheep in that they reached their peak three weeks after parturition, remained at that level for a further three weeks and then fell rapidly.

• 5.

  Correlation between milk consumption and growth rate up to 19 days of age was 0.98.

• 6.

  The possible effects of the udder massage and the methods of recording yield are discussed.