Teat stimulation and milk production during early lactation in sows: Effects of continuous noise

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate if the time or the intensity of the massage performed after let down by suckling piglets influenced the amount of milk produced by the teat receiving the massage and to study if the effects of continuous fan noise affected piglet milk consumption. Twelve Swedish Landrace × Yorkshire sows, six of them exposed to continuous fan noise, were studied together with their litters. On days 1–3 postfarrowing, the number of massage movements and the time each piglet was massaging was recorded in relation to milk letdown. The teat used by each piglet was noted and whether the piglet was urinating or defecating during the suckling. Piglets were weighed before and after each suckling and on days 7 and 14. The duration and intensity of teat stimulation given to a teat influenced the production of that teat during the first days of lactation in sows not exposed to noise. There was a tendency for the 3rd and 4th teat-pairs to respond less to the massage than the front or rear teat-pairs. Suckling piglets subjected to continuous loud noise performed less teat stimulation and the milk production of the sow was less. Key words: Pig, lactation, nursing, suckling, milk production