Effect of milk deprivation during the lactation period on performance and digestive enzyme activities of the piglets following weaning.

Post-weaning performance of piglets from systems where lactation is disrupted (e.g. from multisuckling systems) is superior to conventionally reared piglets.

Behaviour of 3-week weaned pigs in Straw-Flow(R), deep straw and flatdeck housing systems.

The behaviour of 3-week weaned pigs in different housing systems was examined as part of an assessment of the suitability of the Straw-Flow(R) system for pigs of this age. Three replicate pens of 20 pigs were weaned at 6.4 kg liveweight into each of: (a) deep-straw; (b) Straw-Flow(R); (c) large flatdeck; (d) small flatdeck.

Control of oestrus and ovulation in peri-pubertal gilts with allyltrenbolone or a combination of natural gonadotrophins.

One-hundred-and-twenty large white X landrace gilts were allocated at random to one of three treatment groups. Treatment A gilts were given an orally active progestogen, allyltrenbolone (Regumate; Hoechst UK) once daily for 18 days from 185 days of age. Treatment B gilts were given a subcutaneous injection of gonadotrophins (400 iu pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin, 200 iu human chorionic gonadotrophin).

Losses in weight and body water in sows after weaning.

The loss of body water of eight sows in the 7 d following weaning was determined using the deuterium oxide dilution technique. Four of the sows had received a concentrate diet in restricted amounts while the other four had been given the same diet mixed with two-thirds its weight of oat husks ad lib. during the whole of the preceding lactation.