The relative influence of birth weight, milk consumption and supplementary food consumption upon the growth rates of suckling piglets

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Abstract
1. Data from 208 piglets in 24 litters were examined to evaluate the relationships of weights at 3 and 8 weeks with birth weight and milk consumption within litters, and with these and creep-feed consumption between litters.2. Of the total variation in 3-week weight within litters, 39% was associated with variation in birth weight, 67% with variation in milk consumption to 3 weeks, and 80% with these two factors combined. Of the total variation in 8-week weight within litters, 30% was associated with variation in birth weight, 25% with variation in milk consumption to 8 weeks, 42% with these two factors combined and 45% with variation in 3-week weight.3. Of the total variation in 3-week weight between litters, 6% was associated with variation in birth weight, 15% with variation in milk consumption to 3 weeks, and 18% with these two factors together. These values were all too low to be statistically significant, as were the equivalent relationships with 8-week weight. Of the total variation in 8-week weight between litters, 77 % was associated with variation in creep-feed consumption to 8 weeks, 70% with variation in 3-week weight, 85% with consumptions to 8 weeks of milk and creep-feed combined, and 89 % with creep-feed consumption to 8 weeks and 3-week weight combined.4. The practical significance of these relationships is discussed.