Innovate To Renovate

Tuesday, 23 June 2020

CARE OF A NEWBORN PIG AND IMPORTANCE UNDERLYING FEEDING COLOSTRUM TO PIGLETS.


COLOSTRUM:

Is a yellowish liquid containing proteins and antibodies essential for increasing the immune response of the newborn animals against diseases.

Newborn pigs suckling shortly after birth
The amount of colostrum consumed by each piglet is directly proportional to its survivability.

Newborn pigs lack enough antibodies to fight against disease-causing agents hence the need to suckle their mother’s first milk called colostrum within two hours after birth. The nutrients and antibodies are absorbed into the bloodstream and help to boost the piglet’s immune system.

To increase the efficacy of colostrum, piglets should suckle at least 150ml within 6 hours after birth because immunoglobulin (antibodies) in colostrum reduce to 70% after 8 hours of breastfeeding.

Other management practices for the newborn pig:

Change in the environment is one of the causes of stress in animals. Piglet’s immunity function and growth rate are compromised by environmental stress and so, it is important to provide a conducive environment to minimize stress:

  • Ensure a dry, warm, and clean nursery pen. Dry and clean pens reduce incidences of infection.
  • Place the brooder lamps inside the nursery pens to provide heat temperature range of at least 26-28OC to avoid chilling of piglets.
  • Provide proper ventilation and enough clean water.
·  Other practices may include: teeth trimming to reduce injury to the sow’s teats and tail docking to avoid cannibalism. This might be done within 12 hours from birth.


Author: Kabuggo Emmanuel 
BSc. AGR (MUK); MSc. Animal Science (CBNU).


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Extremely results-orientated and proactive in addressing and resolving problems. I am an enthusiastic team player with a strong work ethic and a willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet tight deadlines. Equitably Provide Modern Animal and Agricultural Technical Support with Locally Available Resources to Create a Self-sustaining Economy.