1. PIGLET MANAGEMENT (Birth to Weaning)

2. 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

3. 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 days of age

4. 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

5. 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

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

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

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

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

10. 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

11. Pigs Needing Colostrum

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

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

17. Access pig condition
Healthy,wellnourished
Depressed, poorlynourished

18. References