Not an easy task, sometimes even impossible.
Pigs weaned without substantial pre-weaning feeding experience are almost
invariably suffering from depressed feed intake post-weaning. And, this is a
problem. The less weaned pigs eat the first week post-weaning, the less
efficient they are throughout the growing finishing period. Plus, or rather
minus (!), their health is in great danger during this transition period when
stomachs remain empty. So, what can be done? Here's a short list that may be of
some help. Not all recommendations work simultaneously in all farms, but at
least one of them should be working in most cases.
Not an easy task, sometimes even impossible.
Pigs weaned without substantial pre-weaning feeding experience are almost
invariably suffering from depressed feed intake post-weaning. And, this is a
problem. The less weaned pigs eat the first week post-weaning, the less
efficient they are throughout the growing finishing period. Plus, or rather
minus (!), their health is in great danger during this transition period when
stomachs remain empty. So, what can be done?
Here's a short list that may be of
some help. Not all recommendations work simultaneously in all farms, but at
least one of them should be working in most cases.
Health
This cannot be overemphasised enough.
Sick pigs, even subliminally affected by some pathogen, never eat enough.
Improving overall health status always improves feed intake and growth
performance.
Management
With (proper) management we create an
environment suitable for maximal performance. Without this framework, growth and
feed intake are always impaired. Farm employees should be considered as your
best assets and be constantly trained and encouraged to look after weaned pigs
with care.
Temperature
Pigs that are too warm and comfortable may
not venture out to seek food. Pigs that are hot always reduce their feed intake
to avoid internal heat production from metabolism. Best results are obtained
when pigs are kept at a temperature not higher than their lower critical
temperature zone. This applies to the whole room, as hot spots should always be
provided during the immediate post-weaning period.
Lighting
Providing continuous lighting during the first
couple days post-weaning reduces the time pigs take to start consuming feed. In
the dark, weaned pigs prefer to remain in the safety of their group instead of
venturing out for feed. Past the first few first days, normal lighting schemes
should be initiated.
Diet digestibility
Feed intake is linearly associated
with nutrient digestibility. Nursery diets fortified with cooked cereals, milk
proteins, fish meal, and simple sugars such as lactose and sucrose, are readily
consumed by young pigs. In contrast, ingredients of poor digestibility promote
bacterial proliferation in the hind gut often leading to scours. It pays off to
use high quality diets!
Additives
Certain additives, such as antimicrobial
agents, zinc oxide, copper sulfate, organic acids, and plasma protein, improve
post-weaning growth performance and feed intake. An improvement of 10 to 50% in
performance can be easily realised when the proper combination of such
ingredients is used, but the response is more pronounced when health,
facilities, and management are sub-optimal.
Mat-feeding
Post-weaning feed intake may be dramatically
enhanced by spreading a small quantity of feed on floor-mats or on solid floors.
This greatly encourages pigs to express their natural rooting behavior and
ingest solid feed as early as the first day post-weaning. A mash provides equal
results to pellets, but with pellets wastage is often higher. Placing the mat
near the feeder seems to encourage pigs to consume more feed from the
feeder.
Gruel feeding
A gruel (50:50) of feed and water or liquid
milk replacer offered to fallback and light pigs in bowl feeders during the
first 2 to 3 days post-weaning can markedly improve the health and performance
of these animals. This practice prevents starvation and more importantly,
dehydration. Unless the gruel is gradually thickened (70:30), piglets may fail
to adapt to dry feed. This technique is best combined with mat-feeding.