PIGLET MANAGEMENT (Birth to Weaning)

Piglet Management Goals Minimize pre- weaning mortality -Mortality is normally 7-15%; Largely within first two days after birth 52.1% die from becoming crushed by the sow 16.7% die from starvation 11.5% die from “other known problem” 9.3% die from scours 7.4% from “unknown problem” 3% from respiratory problems

Piglet Management Goals Maximize growth rate on the sow -Higher weaning weights -Better post -weaning performance -Allows for earlier weaning reduced vertical transfer of disease segregated early weaning at 17-18 days of age

Characteristics of newborns piglets lack adequate brown fat or sufficient glycogen reserves to maintain body heat for long if chilled or starved Minimal antibody protection 1 – 2 % body fat Limited ability to make glucose Stored glucose gone in 24 hr Poor body temperature regulation Ambient temp 95 F Wet

Normal vs disadvantaged pigs Born quickly On feet in 1 – 2 min Sucking in ~ 15 min (10 – 35 mins) Disadvantaged Born slowly (02 deprived, traumatized) Congenital defect(s) Slow reaching udder

Disadvantaged pigs 􀂄 Chilled 95 F >>> decrease by about 3 degree per week over the first 6 to 8 weeks of life.

Pathway to death for pigs Chilly surroundings Body temperature drops Lazy Starve Reduced Colostrum intake Disease Death

Prevent chilling of newborns Observe pig lying behavior to access thermal needs Chilled Comfortable

Provide zone heating Heat pad Different temperature needs 90 °F (32 °C) 60 °F (15.5 °C) Heat pad Different temperature needs

Ensure good colostrum intake Give pigs colostrum Split suckle Remove largest pigs from litter for 2, 1-hr periods first 12 hr after farrowing Give sow ¼- 1mL oxytocin Prevent chilling Chilled pigs consume less

Pigs Needing Colostrum

Crossfoster Why? Reduce weight variation within litter Match # teats and pigs

Crossfoster procedure Wait 6 – 12 hr after farrowing to move Colostrum from dam Move before pigs are 24 hr old Choose small, docile sows for small pigs

Crossfoster procedure Base strategy on interest of smallest pigs in litter 􀂄 Leave smaller, weaker pigs on dam and move larger ones Move only a few pigs around 􀂄 Extensive fostering stressful to sow/pigs 􀂄 Requires labor

Is milk supply adequate? Healthy, well nourished pigs run around and play After successful nursing 􀂄 Settle down and sleep 􀂄 Milk often seen around mouths Nurse ~ 1x/hr in early lactation

Normal lactation behavior Increased grunting by sow Udder massage by pigs Oxytocin released Milk letdown ~ 30 seconds Pigs gradually cease nursing

Access pig condition Healthy,wellnourished Depressed, poorlynourished

References http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/projects/swine/bio/grow/nursing/hm.html http://www.ncsu.edu/project/swine_extension/ncporkconf/2002/lay.htm http://www.avma.org/issues/animal_welfare/default.asp