PIGLET MANAGEMENT - 2 (Birth to Weaning)

Avoid moving individual piglets around. Identify and move fall-outs by 5-7 d of age. Otherwise leave them put. What is a fall-out?

Other names Fall-backs, runts Smaller, less active piglet 2 to 7 days of age

What is a fall-out? Bony and angular Flat belly Loose skin Hairy

Fall-outs Nursing a poor producing teat Shy, non-aggressive pig missing feedings Many flourish with better milk access

Several fall-outs Teat problems Teat access

Dealing with poor milk supply Several pigs in litter affected Treat for mastitis Milk replacer Creep feed Single pig in litter (i. e., fall-back) Many will flourish with more milk Nurse sows

A fall-out to move Doesn’t join littermates to nurse Not selected a teat Shy, timid 10 littermates

Key points Avoid moving individual fall-backs Move 8 to 10 fall-backs at once to a nurse sow Identify and move fall-backs by 5-7 day of age Otherwise leave them put

WEANING WEIGHT - Targets 8 kg if weaned at 4 weeks 6 kg if weaned at 3 weeks > 4 kg if weaned at 17 days If poor check: Litter size Birth weight Sow condition/ feed intake / milk production Cross fostering Creep feeding management Health, hygiene, environment

Feed Intake In Newly Weaned Piglets On the sow piglets eat > 12 times a day: -Frequent small meals On the sow piglets eat together: -Plenty of feeder space, no separation of feeder spaces Pigs have a tremendous sense of smell: -Clean feeders -Frequently remove stale feed

Piglet Diseases Frequently observe pigs for signs of disease so prompt treatment is possible congenital defect seen is herniation (2%), followed by cryptorchidism (1-2%

Diarrhea (scours) and dehydration Diarrhea (scours) Normal, bright yellow, solid fecal material A dehydrated piglet

E. coli Should affect < 3% of litters Mostly 1-5 days of age Main defense -Antibiotics in milk Treat entire litter with antibiotics -Gentamicin -Spectinomycin Access to water

Difficulty walking and standing, trembling or comatose Hypoglycemia -Low blood sugar Streptococcus suis -Strep suis -Strep meningitis Swollen hock joint

Swollen joints Bacterial infection Identify/treat early -Penicillin Severely swollen -Treatment ineffective -Euthanize

Other conditions Vomiting Rough hair coat, sluggishness, huddling

Greasy, Sticky and Dirty Skin Staphylococcus hyicus invades skin Antibiotic therapy when symptoms appear Wash piglet; treat topically Minimize cuts in skin and dirty equipment

Some Disadvantaged Pigs Should Be Euthanized Acceptable: Barbiturates, CO2, potassium chloride in conjunction with general anesthesia, penetrating captive bolt Conditional: Inhalant anesthetics, CO, chloral hydrate (IV, after sedation), gunshot, electrocution, blow to the head (< 3 weeks of age) Carbon dioxide Electrocution Anesthetic overdose Blunt trauma

National Pork Board P.O. Box 9114 Des Moines, IA USA PHONE: (515) FAX: (515) WEB: Practicing proper euthanasia techniques that are appropriate for the size of the pig is one of the single most important elements to responsibly address animal welfare.

Dead pig/placenta disposal Remove dead pigs/placenta promptly Incineration

Questions?

References row/nursing/hm.html row/nursing/hm.html n/ncporkconf/2002/lay.htm n/ncporkconf/2002/lay.htm default.asp