Baby Pig Management

SwineCare and management of the sowsigns at farrowingnervous and uneasyenlarged vulvamucouse dischargemilk letdownpawing (making a bed)

*Care and management is major influence on number of pigs weanedPigCHAMP records 12.27% preweaning mortalityLeading causes of preweaning deathsLaid on by sow (approx. 50%)Starvation (approx. 20%)Over half of deaths occur during first 2-3 days after farrowing

*Two Classes of Piglets at BirthNormalUp and moving quicklyNursing within 10-15 minutesThrive without much helpDisadvantagedLightweight less than 2 to 2 poundsSlow in getting to the udderChilled thermal requirements not metWeakened during the birth process

*Goals3 to 3.5# pig birth weight best odds for survival to weaningSmall pigs have higher surface area relative to their body weight (lose heat rapidly)< 10% preweaning mortalityWeaning weight3-week weaning -- > 12 lbs.4-week weaning -- > 16 lbs.

The Newborn PigHas no antibodies against pathogensNo transfer of antibodies prepartumColostrum only way of getting passive immunity

The Newborn PigHas only 1-2% body fatlittle insulation to prevent body heat lossLimited ability for gluconeogenesisCannot produce glucose from AA or glycerol

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The Newborn Pig, cont.Glycogen stores lasts for less than 24 hNeeds energy right away Limited ability to regulate body temp.Needs additional heatBorn wetlooses more body heat

Normal Born PigletsNormal pigs will be on their feet within 1-2 min after being bornWithin 2-5 min they will be suckling The first born piglets will get most colostrumBetween meal, piglets will sleepNormal piglets dont need much care

*Baby Pigs Shortly After BirthFirst 12 HoursLearn to walk, find a teat, learn to nurseStay close to the udderSecond DayFront teats are preferredGreater milk supplyLower incidence of mastitisLess chance of being kicked by sow

*ColostrumFirst and highest quality milk quality declines over timeDrops by 50% within 6 hoursDisease-preventing immunityMost important factor in piglets survival and long-term healthFirst-born piglets hog the best colostrumAssist disadvantaged pigletsCollect colostrum and tube disadvantaged piglets

*Factors Limiting Colostrum IntakeCold stress right after birthLarge litters which limit access to teatsPoor nutrition of the sow fat improves quality of milkCold environment that keeps pigs inactive and huddled for warmth

Weak PigletsOften born last in litterget less colostrumOften have low birth weightdifficulty competing for teatreceive less colostrumDeprived of oxygen

It takes a dedicated herdsman to secure survival of weak piglets

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How to help weak pigletsHelp them get started sucklingStomach feed with colostrum or milkreplacer (or cow colostrum)15-20 ml per feedingwarm to 35oCInject glucose intraperitoneal15 - 20 ml per injectionwarm to 35oC

Avoid ChillingCold pigs can be warmed in waterdry them afterwardsZone heating essential32-33oC (heat lamp)

*CrossfosteringLowest preweaning mortality is in heaviest birth weight litters with lowest variationUse crossfostering to even up litters and match number of pigs with the sows ability to raise themManagement TipsColostrum from their dam before movingCrossfoster with 24-48 hours to maintain teat orderStandardize by number and size

Crossfostering/StandardizingReduce weight variation in littersMatch number of piglets to sows ability to nurse usually 10-12 pigs/sowAll small pigs are placed on the same sow

Crossfostering, cont.Not before 12 hAll pigs should have had colostrum from damNot after 48 hPiglets establish teat identity after 48 hLater crossfostering increases spread of diseases

The more pigs that can stay with their mother, the better it is. Nurse sows: Used if average number of liveborns is higher than average holding capacity of sows

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Nurse sows, new bornsUse 2nd. Litter sow - 14 d past farrowingWean her own pigletsGive new 24-48 h old pigs to this sowGive Oxytocin before introducing piglets

Nurse sows, older pigsPigs in a litter that are starving should be moved to nurse sowRunt pigs at weaning can be placed on nurse sowSame procedure for selecting nurse sowsMake sure that nurse pigs dont compromise overall health status

Bench marking for mortalityOn the best farms, pre-weaning mortality is between 6 an 9 %

Processing of new born piglets and daily management

*Processing PigletsProcess varies from farm to farmClipping needle teethTreating umbilical cordIronTail dockingIdentificationScours prevention/treatmentCastration

Processing, Day 1/ within 24 hours

MedicationIPD 1.5 ccNumber with a majic markerTake birth weightUmbilical cord disinfection

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Processing, Day 1after 24 hoursTeeth clippingTail dockingTape spray legged pigsEar notching

Ear Notching- Swine

Ear Notching- Swine

Swine ReproductionEar Notching

*Universal Ear Notching SystemRight ear = litterLeft ear = pig

Swine ReproductionEar Notching

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Swine ReproductionEar NotchingQuiz

Swine ReproductionEar NotchingThe right (litter) ear is equal to 9+3+3+1=16The left (pig) ear is equal to 3This is the 16-3 pig.

Processing, Day 3-5CastrationScours ???

Needle Teeth Clipping

*Early CastrationLess stress, less bleeding, less tissue damageOne person can perform the operation aloneYoung pigs heal faster and cleaner than older pigsMay be stressful to weak pigsCastration may result in infection if pigs are scouring

*Baby Pig AnemiaPig is born with low body stores of FeBorn with 40 mg, uses 7 mg dailySows milk is low in Fe contentAttempts to increase are not successfulNo contact with soil in todays systemsRapid growth of baby pig

*Preweaning Growth Rate

*Symptoms of AnemiaPoor growthListlessness, weakRough hair coatPaleLabored breathingPreventionOral ironInjection usually 200 mg

*Baby Pig ScoursBig production headacheWatery feces, wet tails, dehydrationViruses still cause major problemsTGE, rotavirus (combination with other pathogens)E. coli most common cause of scoursAffect the intestines, causing diarrheaCause significant death lossVaccinate sows with strain on the farmAIAO, sanitationVarious treatment regimens

Daily Management Get all piglets up and running aroundLook for diarrheaLook for pigs that are limpingLook for pigs that are starvingLook for pigs that stay under the heat lamp

Daily Management, cont.Treat sick pigs immediatelyUse effective antibioticsGrow strains to check efficiencyMove pigs that are starving to nurse sowKeep pen clean

Common diseases in nursery pigsDiarrheaJoint problemsStrep SuisUndernurished

Keep track of mortalityRecord number of pigs dead in each litterOn a weekly basis, record number of pigs dead in farrowing roomRecord reasons why each piglet diedMake decisions on how to improve management

Managing the Weaning Weight

Improving the weaning weightsPigs with high weaning weights are easier to weangrow faster after weaningare less likely to get sickrequires less expensive feed

Objectives for weaning weights

Age

15 d

18 d

21 d

25 d

28 d

Kg

4.8

Lbs ????

5.4

6.0

6.8

7.5

Ways to improve weaning weightsImprove milk yield of sowadd fat to lactation dietfeed tree times a dayliquid feed the sow if possiblecull sows with low milk yieldavoid fat sows in farrowing barnWet feed with water

Ways to improve weaning weights, cont.Crossfoster and manage according to protocolReduce disease pressure as much as possibleAssist weak and small piglets if neededMilk replacer to small pigs

*Creep FeedingSows milk usually declines at 12-16 daysStart at 10 12 daysUse palatable feed flavoring agentsMake water availableFeed on mat or in shallow pan and keep freshSome debate on value if pigs are weaned at < 21 days

Creep FeedingUse phase 1 pre-starter dietStart around day 8 or 10 ???Feed in little trough under heat lampFeed 2 times a dayKeep clean all timeHelps piglets get used to dry feed

WaterAlways have fresh and clean water available for pigletsFrom water cuplet run at all times

Split WeaningWean 1 or 2 biggest pigs after 14 dGive more room and milk for remaining pigs in litterCan improve litter weaning weights.

*RecordsFarrowing dateTotal number, NBAPedigree information, teat countNumber weanedBirth weight, weaning weightMedications givenObservation notesSows dispositionPossible replacement females

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