09/02/2026
Care and management of piglets from birth to weaning (typically 4β8 weeks) requires ensuring immediate intake of colostrum within 2β6 hours, maintaining a warm environment providing iron injections to prevent anemia, and introducing creep feed by 7β14 days.
Key practices include disinfecting navels, clipping needle teeth, tail docking, castrating males, and minimizing stress. Key Management Phases: Birth & Immediate Care (0-3 Days):Warmth & Dryness: Dry piglets immediately to prevent hypothermia, especially since they lack fat reserves.
Colostrum Intake: Ensure all piglets suckle colostrum within the first 2-6 hours for immunity.Processing: Disinfect the navel cord with iodine. Clip needle teeth to protect the sowβs udder.Anemia Prevention: Inject 1-2 ml of Iron dextran (50-100 mg) at 2-3 days old to prevent anemia, repeating at 12-14 days.
Cross-fostering: Balance litters by moving piglets to sows with fewer young within 24 hours.Pre-Weaning Care (1 Week - Weaning):Creep Feeding: Introduce high-quality, palatable creep feed from 7β14 days to develop the digestive system.Water Access: Provide clean water to piglets early.
Castration: Castrate male piglets not intended for breeding at 3-4 weeks.Vaccination: Administer vaccinations according to local, recommended schedules.Weaning (4 - 8 Weeks):Method: Wean at 4-6 weeks for intensive systems or up to 8 weeks in other systems.Preparation: Gradually reduce sow milk by separating them for a few hours daily before total separation.
Post-Weaning: Move piglets to a clean, dry, and warm pen (often in groups of 20). Common Hazards & Mitigation: Crushing: Install farrowing rails or use crates to prevent the sow from crushing piglets.Scours/Diarrhea: Maintain strict sanitation, keep floors dry, and ensure a warm, draft-free environment.Hypothermia: Use heat lamps or hovers, especially in cold weather.
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