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Relationship of Minolta color scores at birth with piglet weights and survival
Subjective viability scores at birth have been shown to correlate with piglet growth and survival. Viability score includes the skin color of a piglet which could be measured objectively. The objective of this study was to measure relationship of Minolta color scores of piglets at birth with piglet growth and survival. Minolta scores (from low values to high values; L*, “white to black”, a*, “green to red”, and b*, “blue to yellow”) were taken immediately after birth. Each piglet’s side was wiped off and the Minolta camera was pressed against their side to get the scores. Each Minolta score was divided into quartiles increasing in value from Q1, Q2, Q3 to Q4. Piglets were weighed at birth (n=660), and a random sample again 24 hours post parturition (n=310), 11 weeks of age (n=304), and 21 weeks of age (n=312). At birth piglets with L* in Q4 compared to Q3 were heavier (P=.0309). Piglets with birth b* in Q4 were heavier than Q1, Q2, and Q3 (P<.0001, P=.0005, and P=.0006). Week 11 weights were significantly higher if L* was either in Q1 or Q2 compared to both Q3 (P=.0248, P=.0306) and Q4 (P=.0140, P=.0175). Piglets at week 11 with a* in Q4 were heavier compared to Q2 (P=.0255). Heavier piglets had more red pigmentation at birth, and b* in Q4 compared to Q2 (P= .0428). Week 21 weights tended to be higher when L* was in Q1 compared to Q2 (P=.0908), and when a* was in Q1 or Q4 compared to Q2 (P=.1170 and P=.1295). Piglets were more likely to survive to 17 days of age if their b* was in Q2 compared to Q3 and Q4 (P=.0321 and P=.0088). There is significant evidence to suggest that certain Minolta scores at birth correlate with higher weights in early piglet growth, and there are some tendencies for birth Minolta scores to correlate with heavier weights later in piglet growth.
Keywords: piglet, growth, survival