Zambia Agribusiness Society

The management of newborn piglets is crucial for ensuring their survival, growth, and overall welfare. This article delves into the various strategies and considerations involved in optimizing the care for piglets from birth through their early life stages. Drawing from recent research and best practices, we'll explore maternal care, post-birth vitality, environmental conditions, nutrition, and social factors that influence piglet outcomes. Key Takeaways Effective maternal care, including assessing sow nursing capacity and implementing cross-fostering strategies, is vital for piglet survival. Post-birth management, such as addressing asphyxia and ensuring colostrum intake, is essential for improving piglet vitality and reducing mortality. Environmental management, including temperature control and sanitation protocols, plays a significant role in the health and development of newborn piglets. Nutritional strategies, including appropriate feeding regimens and the use of supplements,

After new-born piglets are born, soak the navel of each piglet in an iodine solution to prevent inflammation (omalitis). The piglets should also be aided by putting them onto the udder of their mother. They need to suck from the colostrum (first milk) which helps in fighting impending diseases. Young piglets tend to be anaemic (have a shortage of iron in their blood) because there is less iron in the sow’s milk, and wouldn’t meet the iron needs of the piglets. Piglets suffering from anaemia become pale and their growth rate drops. How to Prevent Anaemia in a Piggery 1.     You can prevent anaemia by putting clean compost or iron-rich soil (red, yellow or brown soil) at the corner of the pen every day. When the piglets eat some of the soil, they will be able to supplement the iron deficient in their mother’s milk. 2.     You can also give the piglets iron injection (Iron D) at the age of 1 to 3 days. Some important operations carried out on piglets are: 1.     Teeth trimming