Avoid weaning problems

A smooth transition around weaning is the ideal situation, but not always easy to achieve. In practice, we still see start-up problems in the care of weaned piglets. In this article we will discuss the possible causes of start-up problems with weaned piglets. We also give some practical tips to prevent these start-up problems of weaned piglets.

The possible causes of start-up problems in weaned piglets can be:

• Too early and / or too light piglets at weaning caused by:
  • Insufficient colostrum milk production of the sow
  • Not enough additional feed intake of the piglets with the sow
  • High infection pressure among the piglets

• Poor conditions for the piglets after weaning, caused by:
  • No good feed transition from farrowing to weaning
  • Temperature too cold in the nursery
  • Too high pen occupation
  • Infection pressure

To prevent start-up problems of weaned piglets, we give you a number of tips:

Before weaning:

• Ensure good colostrum and milk production of the sow.
• Keep the infection pressure low through a good vaccination policy.
• Feed the piglets twice a day and preferably 3 to 4 times a day the last week before weaning
• Do not wean the piglets (too) early

After weaning:

• Provide a good pen temperature. Place piglets in a preheated compartment. Advice temperature. At semi-slatted min. 28 ° C and with full slatted 30 ° C and if the piglets are lighter than 7 kg, increase the temperature.
• Start provide feed immediately after weaning, if necessary place extra feed troughs with the feed from the farrowing room to provide a smooth transition and keep feed intake high.
• Place extra water bowls in the pens to provide the piglets with sufficient and available water.
• Avoid overcrowding.
• Provide sufficient feeding places (1 place per 10 piglets) and drinking water (1 place per 10 piglets).
• Use a weaning feed which fits your situation to prevent digestive problems and to achieve good intestinal health.
• Put the smallest piglets together to give them enough attention and care.
• And most importantly, all these conditions are given sufficient attention.

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