Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
rowing is a common practice to avoid strain in the groin area from constipation. Constipation
can be a serious problem at this stage and might make the sow stop eating or feel otherwise
ill.
The food may have to be offered three times a day for her to have the time and appetite to eat
it. It also depends on the appetite of the individual female. You will have to experiment. If it is
hot, the sow might eat better in the early mornings or late evenings.
Fresh water should be available to the nursing sow at all times of the day and night. Producing
milk requires plenty of water. The water will help prevent the sow from becoming constip-
ated. The ultimate goal is to maintain the sow in good condition so that she can rebreed
quickly after weaning.
Characteristics of Newborns
Playful and curious tend to be the overwhelmingly common descriptions regarding young
pigs. Though they start small, about 3 pounds and 8 inches long, their growth rate is phenom-
enal. To kick the growth spurt into full drive, it requires plenty of eating and sleeping.
The piglets' first feedings from their mother are important. These initial feedings pump in the
necessary ingredients for a strong immune system, passed through the colostrum from the
sow. Of course, the most natural way for young pigs to receive colostrum and the antibodies it
contains is by nursing from their mother. Continued regular nursing produces a healthy pig of
acceptable weight and size.
Runts of the litter are pigs that have been deprived of feedings at some level. This translates
into a pig that may be more prone to illness and will never regain the growth opportunity lost.
Healthy pigs are more than willing and able to nurse from the moment of birth.
The tiny stature of newborn pigs leaves them prone to injury. The most common infant fatalit-
ies are from accidental crushing by the sow. Rolling over on the newborn pigs will cause sig-
nificant problems and possibly death. Maintaining an area a few feet away, complete with a
heat lamp, will prevent most injuries of this type. Pig rails and
creeps
, or areas set aside by
rails or bars where the sow cannot follow the piglets, are a common feature of many farrow-
ing spaces in order to allow the newborns to roll away from their dam and avoid being
crushed.
