Split suckling (SS) is a management technique used when there is a risk that neonatal piglets will not consume adequate amounts of colostrum. The technique involves reducing competition at the udder by removing the larger first-born piglets, thus allowing smaller piglets' betteracccss to colostrum during and shortly afterparturition. Whilst there is evidence that SS improved colostrum ingestion and, subsequently, piglet survival (Vallet 2013), the effects on growth remain to be elucidated. It was hypothesised that split suckling will improve the growth performance of piglets before and after weaning under commercial conditions.
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