What are the three methods for weaning piglets?

SummaryOne-time weaning method: it can be carried out when the piglets are 28-35 days old after birth; the sow is driven out of the original pen, the piglets remain in the original pen, and they are raised separately and weaned. Batch weaning method: wean the well-developed piglets with a strong appetite and heavy body weight in time, while the weak and small piglets can be weaned later. Gradual weaning method: 4-6 days before the piglets are weaned, drive the sow to a place farther from the original pen for raising, and the sow can be returned to the original pen several times a day, then gradually reduce the number of times she is returned.

1. One-time weaning method

1. At about 28-35 days of age after the piglets are born, the sow and piglets can be separated for raising all at once, and the weaning work is carried out at the same time. The specific method is to drive the sow out of the original pig pen, then leave all the piglets to be raised in the original pig pen. This method is relatively simple and convenient, and it can also prompt the sow to come into estrus quickly after weaning.

2. The disadvantage is that after sudden weaning, the sow is prone to mastitis, and the piglets will also be affected in normal growth and development because of the sudden stimulation of weaning. Therefore, before weaning, the sow's feed needs to be adjusted to help reduce milk production, and the piglets should be carefully cared for so that they adapt to the new living environment.

2. Batch weaning method

Wean the well-developed piglets with a strong appetite and heavy body weight in time, while the weak, poor-appetite, and small piglets can continue to be raised by the sow's side, and the lactation period can be appropriately extended, which is beneficial to the robust growth of the weak and small piglets. This method can enable the entire litter of piglets to grow and develop normally, and can avoid the appearance of runt pigs, but it will prolong the weaning period and affect the sow's estrus and mating.

3. Gradual weaning method

4-6 days before the piglets are weaned, drive the sow to a place farther from the original pen for raising. The sow can be returned to the original pen several times a day, and later the number of times she is returned for nursing is gradually reduced. This method can avoid causing mastitis in the sow, or gastrointestinal diseases in the piglets, and is relatively beneficial to both the sow and the piglets, but it is more labor-intensive and time-consuming.

4. Precautions for feeding after weaning

1. Changing the rearing environment can easily lead to a decline in the piglets' physique, and they are susceptible to invasion by pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, they need to be raised in the original pig pen for 7 days, and then moved together with the same litter of piglets to the piglet nursery house for raising. During this period, they can be regrouped according to the piglets' body condition to avoid fights among the piglets.

2. After 7-10 days of raising, they need to transition to weaned piglet feed, and the feeding amount can be gradually increased later. The daily feeding amount is about 5% of body weight, and it can be fed in small amounts multiple times, generally 4-5 times a day is appropriate.

3. During the raising process, clean and sufficient drinking water must be supplied. In winter, the water should be heated. Piglets are relatively sensitive to temperature. Generally, the suitable temperature at 21 days of age is 25-28°C, and the suitable temperature at 56 days of age is 20-22°C. Therefore, the pig pen needs good warmth and heatstroke prevention and cooling measures, and the relative humidity of the pig pen can be maintained at 65%-75%.