Precautions for Weaning Piglets, Farmers Need to Master Them
Weaning piglets is one of the most important things after piglets are born. Although newborn piglets must be allowed to drink enough colostrum, they should be weaned in time once they reach a certain age. If they are not weaned in time, piglets will become overly dependent on sow's milk and refuse to eat the artificial feed provided, leading to severely stunted growth. However, there are many things to pay attention to when weaning, and a single careless mistake may cause piglets to get sick or even die. So what should be noted when weaning? Details are as follows:
1. Stable Environment
When weaning, piglets need to be separated from the sow, otherwise the weaning will have no effect at all. When raising them separately, the sow should be kept in a different environment, because piglets that have lost their mother's milk and are in a completely unfamiliar environment will feel fear. Therefore, piglets should be weaned in a familiar environment, and after weaning, the feed, feeding times, and even the caretakers should remain unchanged to prevent poor appetite and low spirits in the piglets. Only after all the piglets' conditions have gradually returned to normal can the feed, feeding methods, and so on be adjusted one by one.
2. Piglet Diarrhea
After weaning, piglets are very prone to diarrhea, and it is even more likely and more severe in early-weaned piglets. Therefore, after weaning, the bedding straw in the pig house should be replaced, the hygiene of the pig house should be well maintained, cleaning should be done frequently, and disinfection of the pig house should also be done well. As mentioned earlier, excessive humidity can cause diarrhea, so the dryness of the pig house must be ensured. Piglets can also be trained to defecate at a fixed spot, which makes it easier to manage the manure and the condition of the pig house. Piglets can be properly trained to defecate at a fixed spot by leaving some manure in a certain place so that they gradually form the habit of defecating there.
3. Weather Changes
During the breeding process, many things can be handled manually, but weather changes are beyond our control. So when sudden weather changes occur, we must take corresponding measures according to the weather. Low temperature and high humidity is the most unfavorable weather for piglet growth and may cause stress in piglets. This kind of weather is also a condition in which pathogens are prone to appear, and because piglets' resistance is still weak, they are extremely susceptible to other diseases. Therefore, if you encounter this kind of weather during breeding, you should seal the pig house, keep it warm in time, and take good care of the piglets.
4. Cold Protection and Warmth Preservation
Piglets are very weak and extremely unsuited to low-temperature environments. If weaning must be carried out in a low-temperature environment, it is very likely to cause cold stress in piglets. Therefore, if weaning is carried out in a low-temperature environment, cold protection and warmth preservation for piglets must be done well. During weaning, the temperature should be controlled at around 35 degrees. Adjust the temperature control appropriately according to temperature changes and prevent drafts from leaking through openings in the pig house. Also, the pig house must be kept dry at all times, as excessive humidity can also cause cold stress in piglets. In addition, too low a temperature can cause other diseases such as diarrhea and fever, so everyone must control the temperature well.
The above are some of the precautions to note when weaning piglets. If piglets are not properly cared for, the probability of disease in the later stage will greatly increase, and they may even die. Therefore, in raising piglets, not only must they be weaned in time, but the environment around them must also be well controlled. Prevent adverse reactions in piglets and ensure their normal growth so as to achieve better breeding benefits. To learn more related information, please continue to follow Qinnong Network!