Скачать или смотреть PIG MANAGEMENT: MANAGING LACTATING SOWS

Managing lactating sows and their piglets is crucial for maximizing piglet survival, growth, and subsequent reproductive performance of the sow. It's a demanding period requiring careful attention to nutrition, environment, and health.
Here's a breakdown of key aspects:
I. Managing the Lactating Sow
The sow's health and milk production directly impact piglet well-being.
1. Nutrition and Feeding
Increased Feed Intake: Lactation dramatically increases a sow's nutritional needs. She needs a high-energy, protein-rich diet to support milk production and minimize body weight loss, which can affect future fertility.
Gradual Increase: Start with a lower amount of feed (e.g., 3-6 kg) on the day of farrowing and gradually increase daily by 0.2-0.5 kg until she reaches ad libitum intake (eating to appetite). Sows typically reach peak milk yield around day 16 of lactation.
Frequency: Feed multiple times a day (3-4 times, or even more with automated systems) to encourage higher feed intake. This also helps maintain stable blood glucose levels.
Palatability: Ensure the feed is fresh and palatable. Consider feeding during cooler parts of the day, especially in hot weather.
Diet Composition: Lactation diets should be rich in energy and protein (e.g., corn and soybean meal). Pay attention to amino acids (especially lysine), calcium, phosphorus, and essential vitamins and minerals.
Water Access: Crucial! A lactating sow needs 35-50 liters of clean, fresh water daily for sufficient milk production. Ensure adequate flow rate from drinking nipples. Restricted water intake will reduce feed intake and performance.
Body Condition: Monitor the sow's body condition. Excessive weight loss during lactation can negatively impact her return to estrus and subsequent litter size.
2. Environment
Farrowing Pen/House:
Cleanliness: Clean and disinfect the farrowing pen/house thoroughly at least 7 days before transferring the sow.
Temperature: Maintain an optimal temperature for the sow (around 18°C or 65°F), while also providing warmer areas for piglets. Cooling the sow can be beneficial in hot weather.
Stress Reduction: Minimize stress on the sow, especially around farrowing. Allow her to adjust to the farrowing pen by placing her there about a week before farrowing is expected.
3. Health and Observation
Post-Farrowing Care: Observe the sow closely for any signs of illness (e.g., mastitis, metritis, agalactia – lack of milk).
Vaccination/Deworming: Follow a veterinarian-recommended vaccination and deworming schedule for the sow.
II. Managing the Piglets
Piglet survival and growth are paramount during lactation.
1. Colostrum Intake
Immediate Suckling: Ensure piglets suckle colostrum (the sow's first milk) immediately after birth, ideally within the first 12-24 hours. Colostrum provides essential antibodies for passive immunity against diseases.
Split Suckling/Fostering: If a sow has a large litter or insufficient milk, consider split suckling (allowing smaller/weaker piglets to nurse first) or fostering piglets to a nurse sow that farrowed around the same time. Ensure even intake of colostrum among piglets.
2. Warmth and Environment
Temperature: Piglets require a much warmer environment than the sow. Provide heated creep areas (e.g., heat lamps or mats) at 90-95°F (32-35°C) for the first few days, gradually reducing to 70-80°F (21-27°C) until weaning.
Dryness: Keep piglet areas dry to prevent chilling and disease.
Ventilation: Ensure adequate ventilation in the farrowing area.
3. Piglet Processing (First Few Days)
Navel Disinfection: Disinfect the navel cord with tincture of iodine shortly after birth to prevent infection.
Iron Injection: Piglets are born with low iron reserves and can quickly become anemic. Administer an iron dextran injection (in the ham or neck muscle) within the first 3-4 days of life, and often a second dose around day 14.
Teeth Clipping (Optional): Some producers clip needle teeth to prevent injury to the sow's udder or other piglets, though this practice is becoming less common due to welfare concerns. If done, ensure clean clippers and good hygiene.
Tail Docking (Optional): Done in some systems to prevent tail biting.
Castration (Male Piglets): If not raising boars for market, male piglets are typically castrated at 2-3 weeks of age. Castrating while they are with the sow is less stressful.
4. Creep Feeding
Early Introduction: Introduce highly palatable creep feed from around 7 days of age to encourage piglets to start eating solid food. This helps their digestive system adapt to a diet other than milk, easing the weaning transition.
Small Amounts, Fresh: Offer small amounts frequently to keep the feed fresh and palatable. Place it on a flat surface away from heat lamps.
Water: Ensure piglets have access to clean, fresh water from a nipple drinker or shallow pan.