Effect of Early and Split Weaning Performance on Crossbred Gilts (Landracex Desi)

Eighteen gilts (62.5% Landrace and 37.5% Desi) were randomly divided into two groups (C and T, respectively) having 9 gilts each. Piglets of control group were allowed to suckle their dams until 56 days of age and kept as control and weaned thereafter~In other half (T), heavier piglets (¾ 1.2 kg body at birth) were weaned at, 28 days and remaining comparatively lighter piglets were weaned at 42 days after birth. Data pertaining to body weight changes, feed intake and different reproductive traits were observed and recorded. Feed cost per sow and weaned piglet were calculated based on local prices of feed ingredients. There was no significant difference between body weights at different weeks post farrowing between two groups. However, both the groups significantly differed (P<0.05) in terms of total body weight loss during suckling period (21.02 and 14.34% loss of body weight in C and T groups, respectively. Weariing-to-oestms interval was significantly (P<0.05) longer in C. Litter size at birth and average weight of piglet at birth were not affected by treatments. However, litter weight at weaning was significantly lower in T due to early weaning of piglets: There was 18.51 ± 1.46 lost daysin C compared to T due to longer weaning to estrus. Litter index was also significantly (P¼0.05) higher in T compared to C. Total feed cost per sow and total feed cost on sow per weaned piglets were also significantly (P¼0.05) lower, in T compared to C. Thus, it could be- concluded from the experiment that early and split weaning system had reduced lactation period in, gilts and also shortened weaning-to-estrus interval, there by increased the chances of frequency of farrowings per female per year. Itt also significantly reduced the feed cost per gilts and per weaned piglet.