The performance of sows and litters penned individually or grouped in late lactation

Piglets in litters reared in groups from 3 to 7 weeks of age weighed less at weaning (7 weeks) than piglets in which litters were penned individually. Some of the difference between the two management systems was created within the week after grouping. Grouping sows and their litters did not initiate oestrus in lactation. The subsequent litter size of the grouped sows was reduced but between-treatment differences for this trait failed to reach significance at the 5% level.