Several Considerations for Fine Management of Nursery Pigs

In today's large-scale farms, most use excellent breeds and lines with high production performance, and sows have relatively high litter sizes and survival rates. So what is the key stage that determines whether farming succeeds? Practice shows it is the nursery stage of piglets. The nursery stage is a transfer station, generally starting 7-10 days after weaning and ending at a body weight of 30 kg. This is the key stage affecting the profitability of the entire farm.

This stage is a turning point in the pig's physiology and individual changes, a process of gradual growth from small to large. This stage requires both the management level of nursery piglets and the feeding model of finishing pigs. In particular, the digestive system undergoes great changes, transitioning from easily digestible early-stage piglet feed to late-stage piglet feed, with a decline in nutritional level, while the piglet's feed intake also gradually increases. It is a stage requiring focused management and dedicated personnel for feeding and care.

Feeding at this stage is relatively strict; pay attention to mastering the timing and intervals of feeding. At this time, the feeding method can be changed from ad libitum feeding to scheduled feeding, or from scheduled feeding to ad libitum feeding, or continued ad libitum feeding. This causes relatively great stress to the pigs, but it is beneficial to rapid intestinal development. Also pay attention to feed quality: whether the nutrition is comprehensive and easily absorbed, high quality and free of mold, and good in palatability. At the same time, pay attention to the feeding method: feed less and add more frequently, adding once every 30-40 minutes during the day and once every 2 hours at night. The amount added each time is determined by the pig's body size and feed intake.

This stage has relatively strict temperature requirements, requiring it to be maintained at 18-20 degrees, with relative humidity of 50-65%, and good ventilation. The stocking density should not be too high, and good lighting should be ensured. Create a relatively quiet, warm and comfortable growing environment for nursery pigs.

Disease prevention is also an important task at this stage. Changes in the environment, nutrition, and feeding model can all become triggers for disease occurrence. The first problem to solve at this stage is parasites. Purify parasites inside and outside the pig's body, reduce the loss of feed nutrients, improve feed utilization, improve production performance and strengthen the physique. Second, what needs the most attention at this stage is immunization against swine fever. Pay attention to good health care; for respiratory tract, digestive tract, viral diseases, epidemic diseases, etc., choose high-quality drugs and add them regularly. Health care can prevent and reduce the occurrence of disease, improve the health level and rearing rate of the pig herd, and prepare for the rapid growth of finishing pigs in the later stage.

Pay attention to daily management. The sanitation of the pen is also an important factor related to the success of nursery rearing. Current nursery barns mostly use elevated slatted floors, and the surface has a relatively high chance of contamination. In addition, nursery pigs are active, and frequent movement increases the contaminated area and increases the occurrence of intestinal diseases such as E. coli. Because the space in nursery barns is relatively small, and temperature, humidity and ventilation must also be maintained, thoroughly cleaning the nursery barn is relatively difficult, so the content of harmful gases in the pen increases, which increases the chance of respiratory diseases. Therefore, pen sanitation is also a key point. Frequently use disinfectant to scrub the nursery bed surface, walls, floor, corridors, feed troughs, water troughs, etc. Increase ventilation to reduce the content of harmful gases in the pen, ensure air quality, and disinfect 2-3 times per week. Also note that rodent control and mosquito and fly elimination reduce the spread of disease. Establish the good habit of three-point positioning for the pigs, which both saves labor and helps maintain pen sanitation.

Overall, the finishing stage is a stage requiring focused attention, a stage requiring fine management, and also the guarantee of farm profits at the current stage. It should become the focus of farm work. According to the key points of feeding management during the nursery stage, Weiyuan recommends a health care plan: Zhongwei Fute 100 grams + Yinqiao San 100 grams + Aolaike 200 grams per 100 kg of feed, fed starting from transfer into the nursery barn, used continuously for 7 days. After three weeks, Miaolisu 125 grams + Moweixin 400 grams + Aolaike 500 grams per 1000 kg of feed, used continuously for 7 days, once every three weeks. Deworm once when nursery pigs are 45-50 days old, 1000 grams Jin Yiwei per 1000 kg of feed, used continuously for 7 days. Strengthen swine fever immunization once when nursery pigs are 60-65 days old, and at the same time disinfect the nursery barn with Jinweikang 2-3 times per week.

Doing a good job in preventive health care is more important than reducing losses caused by disease.