What should be noted when weaning and moving piglets to a new group

The work of weaning and moving piglets to a new group is very important, but many farmers neglect many issues in this process, which leads to many problems in the rearing of piglets after weaning and moving to a new group. So today, the editor mainly wants to tell everyone what issues should be noted when weaning and moving piglets to a new group. Let us take a look at the precautions below.

1. Reduce stress responses

Piglets are very afraid of strangers, and at the same time, disturbance by the owner also greatly affects their growth, especially since excessive stress responses can be very severe. So three days before preparing to wean the piglets, we can add an appropriate amount of vitamins to the feed and give the piglets an injection of a vaccine against stress responses in advance. In summer, add vitamins about four days before moving to a new group, while in winter, appropriately add astragalus extract, isatis root, and other substances to address stress responses and prevent colds.

2. Piglet management

After piglets are weaned, if they are raised in their original litter, they can be directly transferred to a nursery pen. So we need to prepare the nursery pen in advance and carry out special care measures for the piglets. The nursery pen needs to be cleaned and disinfected, and water supply equipment and nursery equipment need to be prepared. When the piglets are moved to the pen, heat lamps need to be prepared in advance, and the temperature inside the pen should be controlled at around 25°C to avoid discomfort after the piglets are moved.

3. Moving piglets to a new group

When moving piglets to a new group, we should separate the strong and weak ones and move them separately to avoid injuring the weak piglets. Moving to a new group is generally chosen in the early morning or forenoon, and it is best to avoid moving them at night, as this can reduce stress responses. Secondly, when moving them to a new group, we should also try to avoid improper handling that scratches the piglets. Do not directly grab the piglets' front legs, and at the same time, when moving them to a new group, avoid the piglets slipping and falling, which could cause injuries.

4. Feeding management

After the piglets are moved to a new group, we should observe their activity. Feed them after two hours, and the amount fed at this time should not be too large. The main purpose is to observe the piglets' food intake after moving to a new group and record it. Within one week after moving to a new group, we need to carefully observe the piglets' daily condition to facilitate management, and at the same time gradually increase the feeding amount. In addition, if the piglets have poor food intake, an appropriate amount of artificial milk powder can be added for flavoring to enhance the piglets' appetite.

5. Drinking water management

Drinking water management after weaning and moving piglets to a new group is also very important. Because before the piglets are weaned, their main source of water is milk, but after weaning they need to rely on drinking water on their own. So we need to have a water dispenser in the nursery pen and reasonably control the water supply. It should not be too much, so as to avoid the pig pen becoming too damp and causing disease. Finally, it is best to add an appropriate amount of compound organic acid preparation to the water, as this helps the piglets' intestinal digestion and avoids stress responses caused by weaning.

Weaning and moving piglets to a new group is something they must go through during their growth process, so what we can do is reduce their stress responses when moving them to a new group, and at the same time reduce our own losses. The above is all the content the editor wants to share with everyone today. If you encounter other problems when raising piglets, you can leave a message for the editor for consultation.