Key Technical Points for Winter Feeding and Management of Nursery Pigs

Nursery pigs are a stage that cannot be overlooked in the production process of a pig farm. Since piglets weaned in the farrowing house are based on a standard of 28 days, with a body weight of 8-9 kg, pigs of this weight generally need 2-3 days to adapt to a new environment. Piglets that have just entered the nursery house need not only sufficient temperature, but also clean drinking water and easily digestible feed with good palatability and complete nutrition.

For pigs that have just entered the nursery house, the temperature range should be controlled at around 24°C, and must not be lower than 22°C. It is best to transfer pigs into the nursery house in the afternoon or evening, as this can reduce the stress response of the pigs and, secondarily, reduce fighting among pigs. It is best to transfer pigs from the same litter in the farrowing house into the nursery house and continue to raise them in the same pen. Pigs in excess can be merged into other pens. It is best to regroup them at night, but the principles of "split the large group, not the small group; keep the strong, not the weak; combine at night, not during the day" must be followed when grouping. Pigs with severe malnutrition or injuries and illness should be merged separately together, which can bring much convenience to feeding and management while reducing infection rates and mortality rates. In many pig farms, when nursery pigs reach a body weight of 20 kg, they are either sold or moved out to finishing houses. However, in the northwest, winter temperatures generally range from minus 18°C to minus 36°C, so it is most suitable to move nursery pigs out at a body weight of 23-25 kg. Many large-scale pig farms use underfloor heating when winter temperatures are low. Pig houses with underfloor heating have high humidity. In order to lower or reduce humidity, the pens should minimize water use for washing, and at noon windows or exhaust fans can be opened for ventilation. Pigs that have just entered the nursery house should be trained in three-point positioning: eating and drinking, urinating and defecating, and sleeping. In order to increase the feed intake of pigs, the lighting time can be extended. In the first week after entering the nursery house, use lights at night for 4-6 hours. Pigs that do not meet the weight standard, have severe disease, or have lost value should be culled before entering the nursery house.