NUTRITION ▶▶▶
Top 5 strategies to get weaners started on feed
Feeding strategies for weaned pigs should be evaluated regularly to ensure better results. What are the top 5 strategies to get weaner pigs started on feed?
BY SAMANEH AZARPAJOUH, INDEPENDENT RESEARCHER W 1
hen trying to devise a new strategy, various areas should be evaluated. These include greater liveability, less morbidity, enhanced labour efficiency, greater weight gains, im-
proved feed efficiency, greater percentage of full-value pigs, heavier carcass weight and increased financial performance. Here are five ideas for how to give weaned pigs a good start on feed.
Applying quantification methods A typical method used in the swine industry to start pigs on feed is to look at subjective indicators such as body condition score. These indicators are often
observed and monitored but not quantified. It is recommend- ed that quantification methods are used. Studies show that weight gain during the first week post-weaning will help pigs get a better start on feed. Therefore, it is suggested to check gains by randomly tagging and weighing about 100 pigs. Then, determine the weight distribution and mean of the data to see if 80% of the pigs gained over 900 g for the first week. That method will provide a general idea of how the system is working in a particular swine farm.
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Presenting feed properly Feed presentation to pigs is important for early in- take, and feed is best offered on trays on a flat surface or in a specialist bowl, away from the dunging area
when sows are feeding, as this is when the pigs will be most active and at their hungriest. It is suggested to start with a small quantity of high energy, protein-rich, fresh, palatable rations and add feed supplements such as organic acids, essential oils, probiotics and enzymes to improve digestion and gut integrity.
Altering diets gradually Feed intake in the first few days post-weaning is critical. It is necessary to change the diet gradually and to offer the same diet as fed pre-weaning for
approximately a week to provide some constancy and to mimic the nutrition the piglet gained at suckling. Post-wean- ing rations should be revised up to three times over the course of the weaner phase depending on individual systems, such as the genetic leanness of the breed, environment, feed-consumption patterns and carcass characteristics. Fur- thermore, feeding milk replacers for a short period post-weaning can improve pig growth and gut health. As the pig grows, more raw cereals and vegetable proteins will be added to meet the digestive enzyme development of the pig.
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Which strategies help get piglets eating soon after weaning?
40 ▶ PIG PROGRESS | Volume 38, No. 3, 2022
Ensuring proper water intake Lack of proper water intake is the number one lim- iting factor to feed intake; therefore, a good supply of clean, fresh water is essential. Newly weaned
pigs dehydrate rapidly and need ready access to drinking wa- ter. Proper positioning and sanitation of watering devices are essential elements of proper pig hydration.
Keeping in mind social interaction Social interaction between pigs while eating is criti- cal to develop feeding behaviour. Feeders with solid partitions prevent pigs from seeing each other
while eating. A properly designed feeder without solid parti- tions encourages proper social interaction, maximises feed intake and prevents small pigs from lying and defecating in the feeders. In addition, feeding mats can be used to facilitate social interaction during feeding for the first few days post-weaning. However, mats can lead to higher levels of feed wastage and disease risk from improper sanitation if kept in the nursery pens too long.
PHOTO: HENK RISWICK
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