Kees Scheepens is the driving forces behind the Pig Signals® concept. As a researcher, international vet and pig breeder, Scheepens has a background that enables him to make practical knowledge about pigs accessible to other pig farmers. As a breeder, he keeps Berkshire pigs for their highly valued and flavourful meat. ‘My primary aim in breeding is the flavour of the meat. I enjoy raising pigs and I enjoy the delicious meat.’ On behalf of Pig Signals®, Scheepens provides on-farm training sessions and lectures.
Since completing his veterinary studies, Arnold de Vries has spent 14 years working as a practising pig vet in the Kempen region of the Netherlands. ‘I am keen to encourage and support pig farmers who take pride in their healthy farms and healthy animals; pig farming is a great field to work in!’ Since 2001, Arnold has worked at HAS Den Bosch where he supervises students of pig farming in projects in fields such as pharmacy, (advanced) health care, nutrition and new housing systems.
A s a p ro f e s s i o n a l i n t h e f i e l d ,
s uc c e s s f u l re a r i n g d e p e n d s o n y o u . ’
A practical guide to successful piglet production
Piglets is part of the Pig Signals concept. Pig Signals® comprises a broad assortment of books and training programmes which have the aim of increasing the expertise of pig farmers. Group presentations and study club evenings are based on photographs, images and sounds from the daily practice of pig farmers. In an unconventional fashion, the participants in these meetings become actively involved and their questions about daily practice are answered.
For succesfull farm results, the sow must produce large numbers of healthy piglets on the one hand and the finishing pig must grow to its full potential on the other. In between comes the newborn and growing young piglet: sufficient attention in this phase really is of vital importance! Are your pig rearing skills up to scratch? What you are aiming for is piglets bursting with health and vitality! Many pig farmers don’t fully appreciate that piglet rearing starts with the insemination of the sow. For example, the variation in birth weight is determined at the time of embryo implantation. In general, farmers still underestimate the importance of colostrum intake: uniform, heavy piglets who are quick to drink plenty of milk from their own mother. Not unimportant of course, but there is much more to it. Piglets contains a wealth of tips and insights to improve your own piglet rearing. After the farrowing pen, weaning is an enormously risky time for the piglet. Your priority now is to prevent intestinal atrophy. Correct feed transition, low pressure of infection, not mixing litters and preventing climate stress are essential and are examined in detail. This book ends where the finishing pig producer begins: with the delivery of the piglets. ‘Looking, thinking, acting’ in order to get large litters of healthy, thriving piglets is the basic principle underlying Piglets. At each stage of piglet rearing, it is important to keep your finger on the pulse. Piglets provides essential guidelines to that end.
The illustrations in this book are by Marleen Felius.
This book is to you as colostrum is to your piglets: it contains everything you need. Nothing more and nothing less.
Piglets
co pr py ot rig ec h te t d
Marrit van Engen has an ideal combination of animal production and veterinary expertise thanks to her studies in both animal husbandry and veterinary medicine. ‘Following a brief observation, breeders must be able to see the sow and her piglets are feeling. I help them to develop “antennas” for this observation.’ Marrit van Engen visits pig farms in her role as an adviser in pig reproduction. As part of this work, she developed the FertilAid® concept. On behalf of Pig Signals®, she provides farm training sessions and lectures.
‘ Ta k i n g c a re o f t h e l i t t l e o n e s p a y s d i v i d e n d s !
Pig Signals
Piglets
Piglets
About the authors and the artist
A practical guide to successful piglet production
Marrit van Engen Arnold de Vries Kees Scheepens
On-farm training sessions are also provided during which the participants learn about behavioural signals which they may not have noticed on their own farms. The activities have the following aims: • to help you really see your pigs and prevent ‘farm blindness’ • to show you how to include evaluations as part of your daily routine • to brush up your practical knowledge • to teach you how to work with checklists • to improve the performance of your pig herd Pig Signals® has also become a well-known quality brand outside the Netherlands. Pig farmers are benefiting from this expertise via training programmes and books in countries all over the world. For books and customized editions, please contact:
P.O. Box 4103 NL 7200 BC Zutphen The Netherlands T +31 0575 54 56 88 F +31 575 54 69 90 E info@roodbont.nl I www.roodbont.com For presentations and on-farm training sessions, please contact:
Piglets is part of the Pig Signals® series. Pig Signals®: highly practical, reader-friendly information on animal-oriented pig farming.
www.roodbont.com
www.farmulaone.com
www.pigsignals.com
Hogevleutweg 5 NL 5681 PD Best The Netherlands T/F +31 499 31 01 42 E: info@farmulaone.nl I: www.farmulaone.com
Piglets Authors Marrit van Engen Arnold de Vries Kees Scheepens Editor Ton van Schie Photography FarmulaOne Bureau Typografia (p. 30, bottom and p. 40, bottom)
Roodbont Publishers P.O. Box 4103 NL-7200 BC Zutphen The Netherlands Telephone: +31 575 54 56 88 Fax: +31 575 54 69 90 E-mail: info@roodbont.nl Internet: www.roodbont.com Roodbont is part of Tirion Publishers.
For presentations and on-farming training sessions:
co pr py ot rig ec h te t d
Illustrations Marleen Felius
For books and customised editions:
Translator Sue Stewart, Stewart Translations English editor Dwayne Wipf, Annemarijn Scheepens
Design Varwig Design, Erik de Bruin
FarmulaOne Hogevleutweg 5 NL-5681 PD Best The Netherlands Telephone/Fax: +31 499 31 01 42 E-mail: info@farmulaone.nl Internet: www.farmulaone.com
Technical illustrations and diagrams Varwig Design, Dick Rietveld
Special thanks to: Phil Baynes, Liesbeth Bolhuis, Willie van Bommel, Steven Cassidy, Jeroen Goosens, Geertjan van Groenland, Mark Roozen, Proefaccommodatie ‘De Tolakker’, Huub van der Vinne, Ad van Wesel and many farmers.
No part of this publication may be duplicated, photocopied, reprinted or reproduced in any way without prior written permission from the publisher. The authors and publisher have compiled this publication with the greatest care and to the best of our knowledge. However, the authors and publisher do not accept any liability due to damage of any kind resulting from actions and/or decisions based on this information.
Piglets is part of the Pig Signals® series, together with Sows and Finishing Pigs. Pig Signals® is a registered trademark of FarmulaOne. © Roodbont B.V., FarmulaOne, October 2008 More information about Pig Signals®: www.pigsignals.com ISBN 978-90-8740-032-3
2
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Contents
Introduction
4
1 The glimmer of daylight
6
4 On their own four feet
36
Uniformity determined at service
7
Ready for weaning?
37
Finding the ideal farrowing pen
8
Convenience for man and animal
38
The farrowing pen of the future
9
Sorting affects growth
38
10
Room temperature
39
3 months, 3 weeks and 3, 4 or 5 days?
11
Intestinal villi and feeding
40
Alive and kicking
12
Eating after weaning
41
Off to a flying start
13
From teat to feeder
42
Defects and abnormalities
14
Liquid feeding increases intakes
43
Genetically different
15
Inspection and care
44
co pr py ot rig ec h te t d
Clean conditions
Teaching hunger strikers to eat
45
17
5 Gaining lots of weight
46
18
A five-star hotel for top piglets
47
Never enough antibodies
19
Thin bellies and tasty food?!
48
Keeping milk production levels up
20
The right choice for piglet and farmer
49
Too many piglets
21
Pamper the piglets a bit
49
Russian roulette
22
Water, essential to life
50
Too hot, too cold? The piglet will tell you. 23
Good disease resistance is a plus
51
Treatments and handling
24
Thorough inspection takes time
52
Hygiene matters
25
Streptococci hard to spot
53
Undesirable and abnormal behaviour
54
The finishing touch
55
Index
56
2 The first few days
16
Getting straight to the teat Importance of colostrum
3 Towards the optimal weaning weight 26
C on te n t s
The suckling process
27
Limits on growth
28
Early lessons last a lifetime
29
Supplementary feeding
30
Diarrhoea in the farrowing room
31
Contrary effect of antibiotics
31
Spread of diseases from pen to pen
32
Streptococci
33
Living and learning
34
Inspecting piglets is an art
35
3
Introduction
Every hour counts There is a real art to delivering a large litter of healthy piglets! The sow provides the maternal care while the farmer, in a way, gets the plum job of assuming the father’s role. Growing piglets need a lot of care, which calls for real expertise. Spotting early signals of health, disease and well-being is vital to obtain a good end result: delivering a healthy finishing pig. The life of a newborn piglet passes very quickly, much faster than that of a finishing pig. And while a human baby doubles its weight in 17 weeks, a piglet achieves the same feat within a week! So you have to respond to signals quickly: every hour counts.
Look-think-act Piglets is part of the Pig Signals® series, with its key principles of looking, thinking and acting. The three basic questions are: 1. What do I see? (signal) 2. Why has this happened? (explanation) 3. What do I do? (action) Piglets was written specifically for pig farmers but is of interest to everyone in the pig sector. Piglets is not a manual but a stimulating practical guide. It is not an exhaustive account but covers the things that really matter, in a form that invites you to dip into the book regularly. Read it as if you were a pig: sniffing and exploring and learning a huge amount in the process.
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Good care starts with careful observation. Observe carefully: how long is the sow taking to farrow? Do all piglets drink within an hour of birth? Are the teats easily accessible? Have any piglets still not eaten a few days after weaning?
observe the signals. The longer you stand there, the more signals you will notice, including subtle ones. A lame piglet that always has one leg raised off the ground is a signal that you spotted too late. Treating such a piglet is difficult, and not always successful. Spotting problems before they develop is what good piglet rearing is all about.
You can’t observe in a careful way while carrying out other activities. Stand still, literally, and
‘An hour in the life of a piglet is a day in the life of a finishing pig.’
The cover photo is a pretty picture. But look more closely. The piglets are lying on the sow, which means that the nest isn’t comfortable enough. And piglets lying by the sow run a greater risk of being crushed. It really is a question of looking, thinking and acting! Don’t be deceived by appearances.
4
Are you able to deliver your piglets with the satisfaction of a job well done? You lay the foundations for the success achieved by the grow-finish pig producer. Together, you maximise results!
Pi gl et s
Farrowing period The first three chapters of Piglets deal with piglet management in the farrowing room. The importance of colostrum and warmth, fostering, diarrhoea and transfers from pen to pen are just a few examples of the many subjects covered. The illustration below shows a number of critical areas for attention.
A dark area for farrowing
5 kg of straw/sawdust for nesting
2.5 litres of water/minute Comfortable nest/creep area (floor heating + clean, appropriate heat lamp)
A concave nest No transfers between pens
Good manure removal or functional separation with sow moving freely
High IgG level No damaged shoulders
No MMA
Fresh air, no heat stress, maximum feed intake
Minimal number of crushed piglets
Long tail
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Clean sow
No damaged front knees (carpals)
Confined in crate or moving freely
No damaged dewclaws Comfortable floor and temperature during birth
After weaning
Maximum availability of teats
Floor with good grip for sow
Large farrowing pen, min. 6 m2
First and foremost, weaners must continue to eat. Water, feed and housing are important, but identifying hunger strikers is the number one priority. Spotting climate problems by monitoring the piglets’ lying and other behaviour is simple, but requires clever tactics. Read about this and more in Chapters 4 and 5. The illustration shows the most important points to watch with weaners.
Water separate from feed
No draughts
Eating at the same time Monitor subtle signals Bright coloured feeder No coughing or diarrhoea Not too cold Keep litters together Fresh, tasty feed Well-filled bellies
Introd u c t i o n
5
CHAPTER 1
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The glimmer of daylight
To ensure that large numbers of heavy, healthy piglets are born, there are several
There are still no piglets to be seen, but behind the scenes they are getting ready for life outside the uterus: developing vital organs and building up bodily reserves.
preconditions. First, correct insemination of a sow in top condition. Then rest and appropriate nutrition during gestation, and preparation of a farrowing pen that suits both sow and farmer. It’s worth taking the time to get these things right.
In recent decades the number of piglets per litter has increased by around 1 piglet every 3 years, which means more competition between piglets. As a result, the average birth weight has been slowly dropping and vitality is becoming an issue. How can you improve it? Improvements start with knowledge of factors affecting litter performance, such as: s genetics s sow’s uterine capacity s age difference and implantation of embryos s sow’s feed intake during gestation s composition of ration during gestation (nutrients) s duration of birth, induction s surroundings in which piglets are born (housing and microclimate) s availability of colostrum s number of functioning teats 6
High vitality
Meishan
Berkshire
Hampshire Duroc
Low lean meat deposition rate
Landrace
German Pietrain Yorkshire LW
High lean meat deposition rate
Belgian Pietrain Low vitality
The lean meat deposition rate of finishing pigs is a characteristic that is strongly emphasised in terminal boar breeding. However, high lean meat deposition rate is often accompanied by lower vitality. Piglets with high lean meat deposition rate demand more attention and care in the farrowing pen. Breeders today are increasingly selecting for the survival capacity of piglets. And hybrids, crosses between different breeds, often have better vitality.
Uniformity determined at service The distribution of birth weights is determined three to four months earlier: at the time of ovulation, insemination and embryo implantation. The sow has to have recovered from her previous lactation and returning to good condition. Only then will there be sufficient energy for her egg cells to develop properly. If they do, ovulation occurs at the same time for all of the egg cells, which means that the embryos are the same age on implantation. Feeding extra sugars for a week before insemination can assist this process (dextrose is most easily absorbed into the bloodstream). This stimulates insulin production, which in turn has a positive effect on maturation and ovulation.
The secret of fish oil Feeding fish oil during gestation can increase the number of weaned pigs by prolonging the duration of gestation. In a longer lasting gestation, piglets’ brains develop better, their birth weight is slightly greater and they store more glycogen. The result is more vigorous piglets with larger reserves and so a better chance of survival.
from blood to uterus from piglet to piglet
in birth canal
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blood
cervix
uterus
A piglet’s sense of taste starts to develop in the uterus. Aromatic substances from the sow’s feed affect the amniotic fluid, which the piglet occasionally gulps. If you add this substance to prestarter, for example, the piglets will eat more of it!
Even the uterus is not germ-free. Infections from the environment can reach the piglet via the sow’s blood. Piglets can infect each other via the amniotic fluid. During birth the cervix opens and piglets come directly into contact with pathogens in the birth canal. Don’t let them be born on to dirty slats: remove manure in good time.
Every pig is different. The uterine capacity and placental efficiency that partly determine the total number of piglets and their survival are genetically determined. If you want strong piglets, and a lot of them, bear this in mind in your choice of breeding material and your own gilt selection.
C h ap t e r 1 : T h e g l i m m er o f dayl i g h t
7
Finding the ideal farrowing pen
This sow fits the crate with barely an inch to spare. Don’t just buy a new farrowing pen with the same dimensions as in the good old days. Sows are larger now. A small crate impairs sow welfare and leads to more crushed piglets because it is harder for the sow to lie down and stand up.
co pr py ot rig ec h te t d
Farrowing pens come in all shapes and sizes, but which is most suitable? Points to consider to help you make the right choice: s size of farrowing rooms tailored to number of sows to farrow s easy access to teats (adjustable bottom rail) s non-slip floor under the sow s sow’s head towards wall or passage s positioned straight or at an angle? s floor heating or not? s enough space for piglets to walk round the sow s fresh climate for sows s attractive nest area on both sides of the sow s additional inspection passage s space for piglets’ play behaviour
A Spartan farrowing room versus Tender Loving Care
In this bare pen with no heat lamps, the piglets are left to get on with it themselves. There is no messing about with lamps and the pen is easy to clean. Extra care and work are kept to a minimum.
The extra work done in this pen ensures a higher piglet survival rate and is welfare-friendly. However, all of the extras do have to be removed in order to clean the pen.
Pros and cons of different floor coverings
Tiles Concrete Tri-bar (steel three-sided) Solid plastic Coated steel Cast iron
8
Hygiene --+ +/+ +
Piglet comfort Sow comfort -+/+/-+ +/-++ --++
Work --+/+ ++ +/-
Useful life --+ + ++ ++
Cost ++ ++ +/-
Pi gl et s
The farrowing pen of the future In the wild In the wild, sows at the end of gestation seek a quiet place to farrow. The nest is protected on at least one side by a hill, boulders or bushes. Away from the intrusive noises of fellow group members, the piglets are born in a shallow dip or hollow. Modern farrowing rooms don’t allow sows to build a nest, but providing materials such as sawdust or straw before farrowing helps to reduce stillbirths and crushing due to stress.
co pr py ot rig ec h te t d
The ideal farrowing pen of the future combines the requirements for maximum piglet production with animal-friendly husbandry of sow and 14-plus piglets. It is not yet possible to meet all of the needs or wishes of sow, piglets and farmer, but there are more options than the standard farrowing pen.
This farrowing pen mimics the hollow where the sow farrows in the wild. A small groove for the piglets’ front feet improves access to the udder and prevents knee injuries. Both sow and piglets seem to feel happier and perform better.
The number of crushed piglets is minimised in farrowing pens with a movable floor section. As soon as the sow starts to stand, the floor moves. When she lies down, the piglets are safe ‘one level down’. Depending on the version, the piglets either move down or the sow moves up.
Nest area
Feed
Lying area inside
Manure area outside
The Swiss farrowing pen shown here was developed on the basis of natural pig behaviour. The sow can indulge in nesting behaviour without being confined. In addition to requiring that the sow is able to move around, Swiss law makes it compulsory to provide five kilos of chopped straw around the time of farrowing. This greatly reduces the sow’s stress levels and pre-weaning piglet mortality.
C h ap t e r 1 : T h e g l i m m er o f dayl i g h t
On organic pig farms in the Netherlands, farrowing sows must be able to move around freely, except for the first two days. The farrowing pen is a generous 10 m2 (7.5 m2 inside + 2.5 m2 outside) and weaning doesn’t start until day 40.
9
Clean conditions
Soaking the room is best done with foam. Because the foam layer is easy to see, you know for certain that you haven’t missed any bits. Before soaking, remove any loose material, clear out the rubbish and empty the manure pit. Clean within 1 hour using a high-pressure hose, rinse and disinfect. Include the passages every time you clean a pen. If they are kept clear, it takes little effort.
co pr py ot rig ec h te t d
Before the sow farrows, make sure the piglets won’t be faced with an onslaught of germs immediately after birth. Make sure the farrowing pen is scrupulously clean, disinfect it, wash the sow and remove fresh manure regularly. This will ensure that new piglets are not burdened with germs from the previous litter, so breaking the cycle of infection. Through heavy use, pens become coated with a very thin layer of manure, dust and bacteria known as a biofilm. Biofilms occur on all surfaces like slats and also as a deposit in water pipes; dental plaque is another well-known example. Soaking before cleaning makes the biofilm open up better, after which the bacteria are released. Careful disinfection is necessary within one to five hours after rinsing; then the biofilm seals itself again.
Survival in manure at 20°C Disease agent PRRS Dysentery Lawsonia Streptococci APP Mycoplasma Clostridium Coccidia
Length of survival 8 days 24 days 18 days 3 days 1 days 14 days months/years months/years
(indication)
Even a metre or more above ground level, you still find dust and manure, teeming with germs! A wet farrowing room is an ideal breeding ground for any germs that are left behind. So clean above the 1-metre mark as well and allow the room to dry out quickly and thoroughly (for more than 24 hours).
LOOK - THINK - ACT What is the Kleenex test?
By wiping hard-to-clean spots with a white tissue, you can check if the farrowing pen has been cleaned properly. This tissue has picked up manure that was missed the first time round, something that isn’t immediately obvious. Any manure that is left behind still contains millions of bacteria and viruses that can survive for days. There is little point in disinfecting manure: you really do have to remove it first. So clean dirty spots and disinfect afterwards. Don’t go from the weaners’ or finishers’ pen back into the farrowing pen, because all of that cleaning will have been in vain. Change boots or use separate footwear for each room.
10
Pi gl et s
3 months, 3 weeks and 3, 4 or 5 days?
An underdeveloped piglet runs a greater risk of dying in the first 24 hours after birth due to: s lower glycogen reserves s lower fat reserves s less or slower colostrum intake (chilling) s less developed lung area s more splay legs (reduced mobility)
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One advantage of induction is that supervision of farrowing becomes more efficient; births are closer together, so fewer days of intense and time consuming supervision are required. But gestation lengths differ from farm to farm. Sows can’t be induced before day 113. Piglets induced too early are not yet ‘ready’ to be born and have a reduced vitality. The final processes in the respiratory tract and intestines have still to be completed. Late induction is pointless because the natural birth process is already underway.
Weaning day and supervision of farrowing
Most sow keepers wean on Wednesdays or Thursdays. But have they thought about this? Depending on the average gestation length on a specific farm, it makes sense to consider the time of weaning. Does the choice of weaning day also let you pay sufficient attention to both service and farrowing? Or will one of these activities be pushed into the weekend ?
Everything must be ready before farrowing
Weaning day and supervision of farrowing Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Thursday
Service
Service
Service
Farrowing Farrowing Farrowing
Sunday
Weaning
Farrowing
Weekly plan
Fri
Sat
Sun
Weaning day
Service
Service
Service
Piglets
Weaning Sows
Farrowing
Monday
Farrowing
Farrowing
Paper towel: Drying piglets, more hygienic handling, better grip on piglet in membranes
Service
Service
Service
Long disposable gloves: Hygienic examination
125 /4
Lubricant: Lubricates birth canal during examination
1, ,4
Lamp above nest area: Attractive for piglets to lie under
Lamp behind sow: Warms piglets
Disinfected farrowing mat or paper: Reduces piglet heat loss
Straw/drying powder in nest area: Piglets dry off quickly Bucket: Removal of placenta, membranes and dead piglets C h ap t e r 1 : T h e g l i m m er o f dayl i g h t
11
Alive and kicking Piglets trigger onset of birth themselves 3. Breakdown of corpora lutea (which kept gestation going)
4. Relaxin (softens and stretches pelvis)
2. Uterus produces prostaglandins
5. Uterine contractions 1. Stress: piglet produces
(push piglets out)
ACTH and cortisol
The piglets themselves produce a stress hormone (cortisol) just before the birth, because space in the uterus is limited and the piglets’ blood supply is constrained. The uterus responds by producing prostaglandins, which trigger the birth. As a result, large litters often come earlier and smaller litters later. Both groups deserve extra attention.
co pr py ot rig ec h te t d
With ever-rising numbers of live-born piglets, birth weights will fall and numbers of stillborn piglets will increase. It appears that the smaller piglets in particular are getting even smaller: they are hardest hit so require even more attention. An average of more than one stillborn piglet per litter is unacceptable. Avoid stillbirths by keeping track of the interval between piglets, examining the sow in good time and making sure that the piglets become active quickly after birth. Rest is essential. In gilts, firstborn piglets are often born dead because the first piglet has to make room in the birth canal and is sometimes unable to withstand the stress. In older sows, the lastborn piglets are more often born dead (weak contractions, lack of stamina).
Facts about stillbirth s 20% of stillborn piglets are dead even before the
expulsion process. 80% die during or just after birth. s As the farrowing time rises from 1 hour to 8 hours, stillbirths rise from 2.5% to 10.5%. s The lastborn piglet has less than a 50% chance of surviving to weaning.
s The interval between piglets is normally up to 15 minutes. Stillborn piglets often take 45 to 60 minutes to emerge. s More than 80% of stillborn piglets are in the last third of the litter.
Slow, slower, slowest
A yellow-smeared piglet signals a slow birth. This piglet has defecated in the amniotic fluid during its expulsion. The slower the birth, the greater the risk of oxygen deprivation. The consequences are stillbirth or a piglet with oxygen deficiency: its blood is acidic, with high levels of lactic acid and carbon dioxide. Such piglets are more sluggish and slower to drink colostrum. The body temperature on the first day after birth is a degree of two lower than that of piglets who had a quick birth.
12
The hormone oxytocin is often used to shorten the length of farrowing. However, if used incorrectly it can have a contrary effect: it causes the muscles of the uterus to contract, resulting in piglets becoming stuck in the birth canal. Use no more than 0.5 to 1 ml each time (5-10 IU in the neck), up to three times in succession with an interval of 1 hour between injections. Examine the sow first. And don’t use long-acting oxytocin during farrowing.
Pi gl et s
Off to a flying start A vigorous piglet stands up quickly after birth and searches for the sow’s udder. It latches on to the best teat and fills its belly. Vitality is a subjective concept. If there are any complaints about vitality, describe the symptoms accurately. If necessary, observe the piglets’ births even more closely for a week; how long does a birth take? What is the birth interval between piglets? When does the piglet drink milk for the first time? Give scores to different litters to get a better overall picture of vitality.
co pr py ot rig ec h te t d
Piglets with a low birth weight grow more slowly at all stages of life. At a birth weight of less than 900 grams in particular, losses are greater, especially in the first few days after birth. A weaning weight of less than 6 kg also indicates a higher risk of piglet loss. Use a set of kitchen scales to weigh the two lightest and two heaviest piglets in a litter, for example, to get an impression of the piglets’ weights.
Do the litter score
If you do a litter score, you can compare litter quality in different time periods. Impressions from previous litters are quickly forgotten; make litter quality tangible and measurable!!
Score 1
Poor litter uniformity
splay legs, poor drying of skin
Score 2
Slightly irregular litter
Slightly less uniform, moderate drying
Score 3
Good litter let down by
For example, a runt or a
one pig
not-quite-so-good piglet
Good litter Strong
uniform piglets that dry off quickly
Score 4
Fast piglet
Time after birth: 0
2
4
6
8
10 min.
Slow piglet
Both piglets are born at time 0. The fast piglet reaches the udder and drinks within 10 minutes. The slow piglet sits for a few minutes and rummages about a bit behind the sow. It lingers there, resting its head on her hind legs. It took this piglet over an hour and a half to drink!
C h ap t e r 1 : T h e g l i m m er o f dayl i g h t
13
Defects and abnormalities
Hernia Intestine
Abdominal cavity Abdominal (visceral) membrane Muscle layer Skin
Umbilical, inguinal or scrotal hernia: the principle is the same. The muscles are weaker at the site of the rupture. The contents of the abdominal cavity sag or bulge out (still in the abdominal membrane) between the muscles and become visible. If a section of intestine becomes pinched off, the passage of food is interrupted, inflammation occurs and the piglet may die. If your animals have a lot of hernia problems, it is a good idea to increase the temperature in the nest (piglets lie on each other less) and prevent inflammation of the umbilical cord.
co pr py ot rig ec h te t d
1 to 2% of liveborn piglets have a congenital defect such as cryptorchidism, freemartin, congenital tremor, umbilical hernia or cleft palate. A congenital defect need not be inherited. The causes are often unknown. Piglet embryos are at their most susceptible from the day of implantation (around day 12-18 after ovulation) until the organs are in place (day 35). If many embryos die, the sow aborts. If abnormal piglet embyros survive for a time, they are born dead or mummified. Some piglets will be born with abnormalities.
14
A piglet with humpy back or kyphosis. The dip behind the shoulder often doesn’t become apparent until piglets are a bit older. The cause is an inflammation in the transition from rib to rib cartilage. Because the space available for the lungs is restricted, these piglets often develop pulmonary inflammation.
Piglets lying on each other isn’t just a sign that they are too cold; it is also a risk factor for hernias! The pressure in the abdominal cavity is increased by one piglet lying on top of another. Any weak spot present will be aggravated, resulting in a visible hernia.
This piglet’s ears are flattened against its head, giving it a ‘racing’ or ‘hare-eared’ appearance. These piglets often have pneumonia and are less productive. The cause of this congenital abnormality is still unknown. A lot of cases were observed in the Netherlands when PRRS first emerged in the early 1990s, but they also occur on PRRS-negative farms.
A freemartin is an animal that has both a vulva and testicles. It is a common phenomenon. Its meat is similar to that of a boar, so put the animal with the boars/castrated males.
Pi gl et s
Genetically different Sow breeders are increasingly focusing on breeding for vitality/survival. Clearly, piglets weighing less than 800 grams, 50% of which die before weaning, don’t fit in with this aim. With targeted selection in the sow lines, the ‘bad genes’ can be bred out and the ‘good genes’ passed on to the next generation. In terminal boar selection, there is increasing emphasis on avoiding abnormalities with a hereditary component such as hermaphroditism, lack of an anus (atresia ani), hernias, cryptorchidism, congenital tremor, deformities and splay leg.
Splay leg
co pr py ot rig ec h te t d
An umbilical hernia may be the result of an incipient infection. If the umbilicus detaches properly, it seals itself to prevent infection. Never cut the umbilical cord and don’t try to pull it off. The umbilicus must be left to dry out properly and drop off by itself. Iodine spray is a sensible preventive measure to control infections.
The cause of splay leg is not yet fully understood but the skeletal muscles are clearly not fully developed at birth. Both the terminal boar and environmental factors contribute to the problem. Birth weight has no effect, but a higher energy and vitamin supply, a higher room temperature during gestation and avoiding premature birth (e.g. by early induction) do appear to reduce the problem.
A clear-cut case of splay leg. The piglet’s muscles are slack, making it hard for it to move about and putting it at risk of starvation or crushing.
Taping its legs gives the piglet support. Making the floor less slippery by using drying powder or a mat, for example, will improve its grip.
There are a number of ways to tape a piglet with splay leg. But don’t tape around the leg or the blood supply will be cut off. The piglet should be able to walk properly within three days.
C h ap t e r 1 : T h e g l i m m er o f dayl i g h t
15
Kees Scheepens is the driving forces behind the Pig Signals® concept. As a researcher, international vet and pig breeder, Scheepens has a background that enables him to make practical knowledge about pigs accessible to other pig farmers. As a breeder, he keeps Berkshire pigs for their highly valued and flavourful meat. ‘My primary aim in breeding is the flavour of the meat. I enjoy raising pigs and I enjoy the delicious meat.’ On behalf of Pig Signals®, Scheepens provides on-farm training sessions and lectures.
Since completing his veterinary studies, Arnold de Vries has spent 14 years working as a practising pig vet in the Kempen region of the Netherlands. ‘I am keen to encourage and support pig farmers who take pride in their healthy farms and healthy animals; pig farming is a great field to work in!’ Since 2001, Arnold has worked at HAS Den Bosch where he supervises students of pig farming in projects in fields such as pharmacy, (advanced) health care, nutrition and new housing systems.
As a p ro f e s s i o n a l i n t h e f i e l d ,
su c c e s s f u l re a r i n g d e p e n d s o n y o u . ’
A practical guide to successful piglet production
Piglets is part of the Pig Signals concept. Pig Signals® comprises a broad assortment of books and training programmes which have the aim of increasing the expertise of pig farmers. Group presentations and study club evenings are based on photographs, images and sounds from the daily practice of pig farmers. In an unconventional fashion, the participants in these meetings become actively involved and their questions about daily practice are answered.
For succesfull farm results, the sow must produce large numbers of healthy piglets on the one hand and the finishing pig must grow to its full potential on the other. In between comes the newborn and growing young piglet: sufficient attention in this phase really is of vital importance! Are your pig rearing skills up to scratch?
co pr py ot rig ec h te t d
Marrit van Engen has an ideal combination of animal production and veterinary expertise thanks to her studies in both animal husbandry and veterinary medicine. ‘Following a brief observation, breeders must be able to see the sow and her piglets are feeling. I help them to develop “antennas” for this observation.’ Marrit van Engen visits pig farms in her role as an adviser in pig reproduction. As part of this work, she developed the FertilAid® concept. On behalf of Pig Signals®, she provides farm training sessions and lectures.
‘ Ta k i n g c a re o f t h e l i t t l e o n e s p a y s d i v i d e n d s !
Pig Signals
Piglets
Piglets
About the authors and the artist
What you are aiming for is piglets bursting with health and vitality! Many pig farmers don’t fully appreciate that piglet rearing starts with the insemination of the sow. For example, the variation in birth weight is determined at the time of embryo implantation. In general, farmers still underestimate the importance of colostrum intake: uniform, heavy piglets who are quick to drink plenty of milk from their own mother. Not unimportant of course, but there is much more to it. Piglets contains a wealth of tips and insights to improve your own piglet rearing.
Piglets A practical guide to successful piglet production
After the farrowing pen, weaning is an enormously risky time for the piglet. Your priority now is to prevent intestinal atrophy. Correct feed transition, low pressure of infection, not mixing litters and preventing climate stress are essential and are examined in detail. This book ends where the finishing pig producer begins: with the delivery of the piglets. ‘Looking, thinking, acting’ in order to get large litters of healthy, thriving piglets is the basic principle underlying Piglets. At each stage of piglet rearing, it is important to keep your finger on the pulse. Piglets provides essential guidelines to that end.
The illustrations in this book are by Marleen Felius.
This book is to you as colostrum is to your piglets: it contains everything you need. Nothing more and nothing less.
On-farm training sessions are also provided during which the participants learn about behavioural signals which they may not have noticed on their own farms. The activities have the following aims: • to help you really see your pigs and prevent ‘farm blindness’ • to show you how to include evaluations as part of your daily routine • to brush up your practical knowledge • to teach you how to work with checklists • to improve the performance of your pig herd Pig Signals® has also become a well-known quality brand outside the Netherlands. Pig farmers are benefiting from this expertise via training programmes and books in countries all over the world. For books and customized editions, please contact:
Marrit van Engen Arnold de Vries Kees Scheepens
P.O. Box 4103 NL 7200 BC Zutphen The Netherlands T +31 0575 54 56 88 F +31 575 54 69 90 E info@roodbont.nl I www.roodbont.com For presentations and on-farm training sessions, please contact:
Piglets is part of the Pig Signals® series. Pig Signals®: highly practical, reader-friendly information on animal-oriented pig farming.
www.roodbont.com
www.farmulaone.com
www.pigsignals.com
Hogevleutweg 5 NL 5681 PD Best The Netherlands T/F +31 499 31 01 42 E: info@farmulaone.nl I: www.farmulaone.com