Within-litter variation of birth weight in hyperprolific Czech Large White sows and its relation to litter size traits, stillborn piglets and losses until weaning

WOLF, J., ŽÁKOVÁ, E. & GROENEVELD, E.. Within-litter variation of birth weight in hyperprolific Czech Large White sows and its relation to litter size traits, stillborn piglets and losses until weaning. Livestock Science. 2008, roč. 115, č. 2-3, s. 195-20
WOLF, Jochen a ŽÁKOVÁ, Eliška and GROENEVELD, E. Within-litter variation of birth weight in hyperprolific Czech Large White sows and its relation to litter size traits, stillborn piglets and losses until weaning. Livestock Science, 2008, 115, 195-205. ISSN 1871-1413.
Year2008
CathegoryScientific publication in impacted journals
Internal link8056.pdf
Abstract

Data from about 2900 litters (approximately 40,000 piglets) originating from 1063 Czech Large White hyperprolific sows were analyzed. The phenotypic and genetic relations between litter size traits, piglet mortality during farrowing and from birth to weaning and several statistics referring to the distribution of the birth weight within litter were analyzed. An increase in litter size was shown to be genetically connected with a decrease in the mean piglet birth weight and an increase in the within-litter variability of birth weight. Selection on litter size should be accompanied by selection on mortality traits and/or birth weight traits. Losses from birth to weaning and the minimal birth weight in the litter were proposed as potential traits for a selection against piglet mortality.