Over the past few decades, the swine industry has genetically selected highly prolific animals with economically desirable carcass traits. The average total number of piglets born per litter increased from 11.5 to 15.1 in the United States from 2004 to 2021 (PigChamp USA). Along with this increase has come an increase in variation in piglet birthweights within litters in addition to the development of a light birthweight phenotype sow (Foxcroft et al., 2009; DeVillers et al., 2007; Milligan et al., 2002). These light birthweight piglets, as well as piglets born into litters with high birthweight variation (Milligan et al., 2002), are more susceptible to death by crushing and disease which has driven preweaning mortality up from 12.4% in 2004 to 16.7% in 2022 (PigChamp USA). Panzardi et al. (2013) reported that 55% of all deaths occur in the first 3 days of life from piglets that weigh less than 1.3 kg. It is important to examine birthweight not only as a risk factor for mortality but also to identify opportunities to improve survival.