Detailed Explanation of the Key Management Techniques for Newly Penned Piglets

Newly penned pigs are affected by various stress factors, such as transport stress, environmental changes, and feed changes, which cause mental and physiological pressure on the young pigs, leading to gastrointestinal dysfunction and endocrine disorders, often resulting in frequent diarrhea, edema disease and other illnesses, and bringing about poor growth, slow weight gain, and increased mortality.

Preparatory Work Before the Pigs Arrive

First, understand the background of the pigs being purchased, whether there is any epidemic disease or sub-health condition, whether immunization has been carried out, etc., to avoid buying diseased pigs. Second, during transport, pay attention to protection against cold and wind; on long-distance transport, provide drinking water or a small amount of feed along the way; when weighing and handling pigs, handle them gently to avoid injury. Before the pigs are penned, keep the empty pen house at a temperature of 20°C to 24°C, so that the pigs can adapt to the new, good environment as quickly as possible after being penned.

Grouping and Density

Grouping should follow the principle of similar body weight and size, to avoid excessive differences that lead to the big bullying the small and the strong bullying the weak. The best density is 1 pig per sq m, with 8 to 10 pigs per pen, avoiding excessive density and overly large groups. Prepare enough feed troughs and water troughs, or use free-access feeders and drinkers.

Measures to Avoid Stress Reactions

Drinking water: After the pigs are penned, first give them clean warm water at 15°C to 20°C, with electrolytic multivitamins, vitamin C and glucose powder added to the water to make an anti-stress preparation.

Feeding: For newly penned pigs, feeding should follow the principle of small amounts given frequently and gradual transition. At first, feed 5 to 6 times a day; after 7 days, feed 4 times a day at fixed times. Choose high-grade piglet feed that is nutritionally complete and highly digestible, which can minimize the stress caused by feed changes and promote the normal development of the piglets' digestive organs and immune organs.

Environment: Create a warm, dry, clean and comfortable living environment for the pigs, adjust the temperature inside the house, keep the pen clean and hygienic, ensure good ventilation, guarantee fresh air inside the house, improve the air quality of the pig house, and reduce the ammonia concentration.

Carefully Observe the Dynamics of the Pig Herd

For newly penned pigs, do a good job of the “three fixations”: train the pigs well in their habits of eating, sleeping and lying down, and defecating and urinating, and do a good job of fixing the pigs' locations, which will bring once-and-for-all results for future management. Always observe the pigs' spirit, feed intake and health status, and solve any abnormal situations promptly.

Do a Good Job of Immunization

After newly penned pigs have gone through 5 to 7 days of transitional feeding, their stress state is alleviated, and various vaccinations are needed, including the four major epidemic diseases: swine fever, swine erysipelas, swine pasteurellosis, and piglet paratyphoid. If, when purchasing the pigs, it is learned that the other party has already carried out immunization against the 4 diseases, it is recommended to give 1 additional dose of swine fever vaccine. In addition, depending on the situation, add immunization items for foot-and-mouth disease vaccine and piglet edema disease vaccine, and do a good job of pig disease prevention and control.