Management of The Sow and Litter in Late Pregnancy and Lactation in Relation to Piglet Survival and Growth

The objectives of management in late pregnancy and lactation are to minimize the incidence of stillbirths, to maximize the number of livebirths at parturition and to improve the viability of these pigs. Thereafter, management must strive to minimize mortality and to produce healthy and well grown pigs at weaning. Treatment imposed in late pregnancy and lactation should be orientated towards achieving prompt conception following weaning and to providing the potential for establishing a large litter of viable piglets in the subsequent gestation. Aspects relating to piglet mortality and its prevention will form the first part of this chapter followed by a consideration of supplementary feeding of the litter.