Methods and Key Technical Points for Cross-Fostering and Combined Litters of Piglets

In cases where the litter size is greater than the number of teats on the sow, the sow has no milk after farrowing, or the sow dies, cross-fostering can be used to save piglets that have no milk to drink. First, mix the piglets to be cross-fostered together with the other piglets, or smear them with the urine of that sow. Second, try to find a sow with the same farrowing date for cross-fostering. Third, do not cross-foster more than 10 piglets onto a first-litter sow. Fourth, do not cross-foster piglets with diarrhea. Fifth, do not cross-foster piglets that have not received colostrum. Sixth, mark the cross-fostered piglets and observe whether they are able to suckle.