Piglets are born immunologically naïve as the sow is unable to transfer antibodies in utero to the piglets via placenta, so antibody transfer from colostrum is crucial for adequate immune function in early life. At the same time, the cross fostering that is absolutely necessary must not occur too late in lactation in order to avoid litter disruption and the associated negative impacts. Since early cross-fostering can result in the variability of the quality and volume of colostrum intake of piglets within the litter it is important to delay the process as long as possible. But the pressure to cross-foster early can be high due to reasons such as increased sow prolificacy, inadequate functional teat numbers, and disease instability.

Colostrum from the birth sow also helps to maximize the quality of immunity. Colostrum intake is one of the main determinants of piglet survival since it provides the essential energy and immunity that every piglet needs in early life. Rule #2: No cross-fostering later than 48 hoursĪfter farrowing, providing adequate colostrum intake while minimizing cross-fostering at the same time is an industry challenge. It has been shown that piglets that were cross-fostered once were 11.69 times more likely to die and were at higher risk of pericarditis and heart condemnation compared with pigs that were not cross-fostered (p < 0.05) Since all piglets are not born with the same immune status (PRRS), and have not received the same colostrum, any piglet movement between litters has the potential to spread diseases (PRRS) within the lactation roomĪny piglet movement between litters has the potential to disrupt the milk production of the sow causing weight loss and affecting the well-being of the moved piglets and the entire litter, so avoid unnecessary movements This movement of piglets to a foster sow of the same group is also referred as “litter equalisation” it may actually negatively impact health stability so it should always be minimized, especially for PRRS positive farms

Rule #1: When cross-fostering, move pigs only when necessaryĪt the time of farrowing, it is not unusual for the sows within a farrowing group to have a high number of piglets per litter, and after considering factors such as the number of functional teats and teat conformation, farrowing technicians commonly carry out a process called “cross-fostering”.

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