The objective was to evaluate the effect of phytogenic supplementation in the feed of lactating sows on the performance parameters of sows and suckling piglets. Ninety-three lactating sows of commercial lines (sows TN70) were distributed in a completely randomized design. The treatments adopted were a control diet without phytogenics (control) and a control diet with phytogenic supplementation in the feed. Performance parameters and the behaviors of sows and piglets were evaluated, in addition to milk composition and the biochemical parameters of the animals. The use of phytogenics did not affect the feed intake or tissue mobilization of the sows. However, it improved the production and quality of milk and reduced the possibility of light piglets at weaning by 22.16 percentage points. Regarding biochemical parameters, phytogenics improved animal recovery in the lactation period, as proven by an increase in the serum concentration of total protein and urea. Sows that received phytogenics exhibited increased behaviors of inactivity (3.16%), breastfeeding (1.15%), and water consumption (0.95%). In conclusion, using phytogenics in the feed of lactating sows improves the performance of the litters without affecting the body condition of the sows, with increased milk production and enhanced protein and lactose concentration.

Context: The strategic management of pigs raised in an intensive system has been conducted, in general, according to the average weight of piglets after weaning. Different models using morphometric parameters to predict the probability of any of the three weight classes (light, medium, and heavy) occurring post-weaning present themselves as an alternative to help the producer conduct these strategic managements. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the development of suckling piglets by using morphometric parameters. Methods: A thousand simple samples were extracted at random from 268 piglets for the training data, which represent 70% of the original data set (384 piglets). The remaining 116 piglets (test data) were excluded from the analysis so as to verify the performance of the prediction (probability of each weight class to occur). Afterwards, the results were compared with the real weight class of the piglet at weaning. The variables in this research were birth weight (PWB), lactation length (Lac), and morphometric parameters of body length (BL), heart girth (HG), body mass index (BMI), ponderal index (PI), surface:mass ratio (SM), and parity order (PO). Different models were developed to predict the probability of any of the three weight classes (light, 5.095 kg) occurring at piglet weaning on the basis of their parameters 1 day postpartum. An adjustment of the ordinal regression was proposed to predict the weight classifications. Key results: The model with a significant effect of the Lac variables was selected. Conclusions and implications: One day after birth, light-weight and heavy-weight piglets, regardless of their morphometry, have a high likelihood of remaining in the same weight class at weaning. However, this does not apply to medium-sized piglets with diverse morphometry.

This study aimed to evaluate the development of suckling piglets using morphometric parameters. Different models were created to predict the probability to occur any of the three weight classes (light, medium, and heavy) based on the piglets’ weaning weight. The variables in this research were birth weight (PW _B ), lactation length (Lac), and morphometric parameters– body length (BL), heart girth (HG), body mass index (BMI), ponderal index (PI), surface-mass ratio (SM), and birth order (BO). An adjustment of the ordinal regression was proposed to predict the weight classifications. The model with a significant effect of the Lac variables was selected. The light and heavy piglets, regardless of their morphometry, have a high chance of staying in the same weight class at weaning. However, this does not occur in medium piglets with diverse morphometry. Summary statement: This manuscript demonstrates how morphometry can influence the development of animals, even with similar weights.