Farrowing and piglet management – Flashcards
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How is farrowing induced?
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IM prostaglandin from day 112 onwards causes farrowing 20-30 hours later
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What is the benefit of synchronised farrowing?
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Prepare farrowing pens, predictable, supervision easier and more reliable
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When does the pre-farrowing period start?
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10 - 14 days before farrowing
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What are the signs farrowing is going to happen soon?
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Mammary gland development, teat enlargement, udder vein enlargement, vulva swelling
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What are the signs farrowing is imminent?
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Restless, inappetitant, chewing bedding, milk secretion, vulva mucous
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When is milk secreted?
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12 hours before farrowing
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How long does farrowing take?
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3-8 hours
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How long between each piglet during farrowing?
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10-20 mins
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Describe a runt
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Very small, hunched back, bulbous skull and squeakier
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What are the problems with runts?
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Do not grow well, often die and are sickly
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What is the fate of runts?
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Culled or given away
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How long does it take to deliver the placenta?
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1-4 hours
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When is teat order established?
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Within first few hours
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What causes teat necrosis?
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within 18hrs of birth some teat sphincters on teats in front of the umbilical cord are traumatised by rough floors and die
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What about the sow predisposes teat necrosis?
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Poor teat positioning
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How can teat necrosis be managed?
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Use more straw bedding if possible
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When does the gut begin to close?
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6 hours
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What is the range of colostrum intake by newborn piglets?
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200-450g
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What is the recommended minimum colostrum per piglet?
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150-280g per kg of piglet
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How often does nursing take place?
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every 50-60 mins
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What does the sow require for milk let down?
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stimulation from the piglets
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what helps the piglets find the teat?
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Vocalisation and odours from the mammary and birth fluids
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Describe the first stage of suckling
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Piglets compete for teats then massage around respective teat with snout and sow grunts slow regular intervals
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How long does the competing/ massaging take? What signals its end?
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1 minute until milk let down begins
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What happens in the third phase of suckling when milk is starting to be let down?
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Piglets suckle with slow mouth movements and sows grunting increases
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How long does phase 3 last?
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20 secs
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What do the sows grunts coincide with?
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Release of oxytocin from her pituitary
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Describe phase 4 of suckling
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Milk flow, rapid suckling of piglets, sow grunts lower and faster in blocks of three or four
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How long does phase 4 last?
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10 - 20 secs
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When and how are the mammary glands tested?
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12 - 24 hours after farrowing apply pressure to the teat area until point of response
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How can you test for early oedema?
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Press a finger into the gland and see if it leaves and impression
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When are the first signs of lactation problems normally shown?
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4-6 hours after farrowing
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Describe a sow with lactation problems
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Swollen and discoloured glands. Possible fever, off food and laid on belly
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Which problems can lead to mastitis?
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Oedema and congestion
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How is mastitis treated?
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small doses of oxytocin every 4-6hrs on 4 occasions. Artificially rear piglets
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What can be given if early mastitis is seen to prevent it worsening?
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Injection of long acting antibiotic eg penicillin, amoxycillin or OTC
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When is it possible to carry out cross fostering?
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First 24-48hrs
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What may happen after 24hrs and why?
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Fighting between piglets due to foreign smell and pecking order established
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Which piglets should be fostered?
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larger ones
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What is the maximum temperature for sows during farrowing?
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20 degrees C
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What temperature requirement do the piglets have in the first three weeks?
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30 dropping 0.5 each day until three weeks
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How is sow feed managed during lactation?
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Restricted early on to maximise intake in later lactation
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What heating method is common in farrowing pens?
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Lamps to localise the heat for the piglets without affecting the sow
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What stresses do piglets go through during weaning?
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Rapid change in diet from milk to pellets and mixing with other piglets
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How long would natural weaning take and is this gradual?
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gradual over 12-17 weeks
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What age are piglets weaned?
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21-34 days
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what is the benefit of segregated 7 days or medicated 14 days early weaning?
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Better piglet health, improve feed efficiency and growth rate
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What are disadvantages of early weaning?
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Inconsistent growth, decreased post weaning gain, abnormal feed intake and weaker immune systems
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what is the EU legislation regarding weaning?
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Must not be below 28 days unless the health of the dam or piglets is compromised,
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What are the conditions for allowing weaning 7 days earlier than the EU law?
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If the housing is specialised and emptied/disinfected thoroughly to prevent spread of disease
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What is all in -all out system?
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Wean all piglets in a house at the same time to allow for proper cleaning before the next batch
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At what weight should the piglets be weaned?
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7kg
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Have the piglets already been introduced to feed at weaning?
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Yes creep feed present
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What are piglets injected with? and how much?
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100-200mg dose of iron
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Where is the iron injected?
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Behind the ear or hind limb
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Why do piglets need iron supplements?
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Low deposits at birth, high growth rate and can't get it from soil
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What percentage of iron requirement is provided by the mothers milk?
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10%
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When is the iron injection given?
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1-7 days of age
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What other method of iron supplementation is possible?
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Oral
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What is the purpose of needle teeth trimming?
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Prevent damage to teats and facial wounds to other piglets
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What is the maximum amount that can be docked from the tail?
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1/3
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How is tail docking carried out?
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Hot blade or sharp pliers
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What is the problem with tail docking?
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Can lead to the development of neuromas
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What is the benefit and problems with oral iron supplementation?
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Some positive effects but take longer to absorb from gut
