Simple solutions to Insufficient milk for young piglets after “birth”?
Kelvin Wairimu 
Pig farming has changed drastically through the use of modern technology like artificial insemination and automated feeders and drinkers.
More and more farmers are venturing into pig farming raising the value of live pigs and their by-products.
This growth in pig farming has come with many challenges including the dilution of breeds through breeding and disease mutations.
Pig farmers are in a rush to increase their herd at the shortest maturity period possible.
Learn also how you can enhance piglets’ survival in pig farming
One of the main problems farmers are experiencing is pigs failing to produce colostrum or milk after farrowing. Farrowing is the process of pigs “giving birth”.
It is a worse condition which in extreme cases leads to the mortality of the young piglets.
Importance of colostrum in pigs
Colostrum is an essential source of energy for young piglets. It provides passive immunity from the mother via the transfer of immunoglobins.
A piglet weighing at birth should ingest a minimum of 250g of colostrum in order to gain weight.
Insufficient milk production causes retarded growth, diarrhoea and increased incidence of runts and motility.
Causes of insufficient milk production in pigs
- Inadequate water.
- Heat stress.
- Weak or inadequate numbers of piglets that can provide sufficient stimulus for milk letdown.
- High-stress levels impede the chemical effects of oxytocin preventing milk let down.
- Pain and discomfort at farrowing.
- Teat damage from piglets’ teeth.
- Low-quality feeds with fewer proteins.
The good thing is that the above causes of low milk production can be controlled earlier before farrowing.
Immediate solutions for low milk production in pigs.
Research has shown that adding fermented feed to the diet can increase milk production by at least 30%.
In extreme cases, a single injection of a high dose of oxytocin prolongs the cholesterol phase.
In the case of teeth damage; good creeping should always be done on the third day.
For quality feeds such as sow and weaner, pig starter, pig grower, and pig finisher/fattener you can order them here. For bulk orders transport can be arranged to your doorstep.
The feeds are formulated observing the highest standards of quality to give the farmer a high conversion rate at a convenient price.
Other feeds for dairy animals and poultry together with raw materials and supplements are also available.
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In our next article, we shall focus on the best pig breeds with faster maturity rates.
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