As demand for pork and its by-products increase, more and more farmers are turning to pig farming with aim of making profits.
The low feeds consumption combined with its affordable to farm compared to dairy farming.
A sow pig has the ability to give birth to up to 16 piglets depending on breed and management. However, due to poor management, most of the piglets end up dying.
There are mothers who are poor in nursing their young ones and end up killing all of them. Read Also: How to manage young calve
However, farm management also plays a key role in minimizing piglet fatalities. The following practices will enhance piglet survival:
Key practices
Disinfect the umbilical cord with iodine 5% to prevent disease infections.
Provide bedding (dry grass or wood shavings) in the resting area to keep piglets warm or use an infra-red bulb for heating.
Give iron injection on the third day to reduce the incidence of anaemia.
Clip the teeth within 24 hours to avoid damage to the sow’s udder when suckling.
Notch or tag ears for identification and record keeping.
Weigh piglets at birth and record the weights
Castrate the male pigs which are not suitable for breeding on the 3rd week using the open method.
Feed the mother with high-quality sow and weaner feeds to improve the nutritional value of the milk sucked. The piglets should be fed with sow and weaner or creeps feeds that have high levels of proteins and calcium.
