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Table 5 Cluster characteristics of birth weight class 1 piglets (smallest 25% at birth) clustered in different groups based on birth weight and various morphometric characteristics. Data are expressed as LSM ± SED1

From: Once small always small? To what extent morphometric characteristics and post-weaning starter regime affect pig lifetime growth performance

Cluster (%)

1

2

3

SED

P-value

44.2%

34.6%

21.2%

Cluster characteristics

 Body weight, kg

  d 0

1.10a

0.835b

1.10a

0.002

< 0.001

  Relative BiW2

0.807a

0.610b

0.794a

0.002

< 0.001

 Morphometric characteristics

  Abdominal circumferences, cm

20.0b

17.9a

19.8b

0.051

< 0.001

  Cranial circumferences, cm

20.0b

18.7a

20.0b

0.014

< 0.001

  Snout to ear length, cm

9.64a

9.18c

9.47b

0.010

< 0.001

  Crown rump length, cm

23.9a

21.5b

21.8b

0.021

< 0.001

  Body mass index3, kg/m2

19.5b

18.0c

23.0a

0.032

< 0.001

  Ponderal index4, kg/m3

81.4b

83.9b

106a

0.183

< 0.001

  Birth weight: Cranial circumferences, kg/cm

0.0549a

0.0458b

0.0546a

0.0001

< 0.001

  Snout to ear length: Birth weight, cm/ kg

8.84b

11.3a

8.74b

0.025

< 0.001

  1. a,b,cValues with different superscripts differ significantly (P < 0.05)
  2. 1Pigs were weighed within 12 h post-partum (d 0)
  3. 2Relative birth weight = (Birth weight piglet/ mean birth weight birth litter)
  4. 3Body mass index = birth weight (kg)/[crown rump length (m)]2
  5. 4Ponderal index = birth weight (kg)/[crown rump length (m)]3