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How to raise early weaned piglets
In order to enhance the reproductive performance of sows, modern pig farms commonly implement early weaning practices, typically at 21 days of age. At this stage, piglets have underdeveloped digestive systems and weak immune responses, making proper feeding and management essential for achieving high survival rates. So, how can we effectively raise early weaned piglets?
First, it's important to prepare the nursery area in advance. The nursery pens should be designed for cleanliness, disease prevention, and ease of feeding. They are usually divided into indoor and outdoor sections. The indoor area includes a heating zone, feeding troughs, and resting areas, while the outdoor section provides water stations, exercise spaces, and waste areas. Two weeks before introducing the pigs, the pens should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected using two different disinfectants.
Next, group the pigs appropriately. Piglets should be grouped based on their size, sex, and weight, with 10 to 20 pigs per pen. Each pig should have about one square meter of space. It’s best to keep them in their original groups as much as possible. Before placing them in the nursery, spray the pigs with a disinfectant to reduce stress and prevent fighting. To boost immunity, an electrolyte solution can be given—mix 25g glucose, 4.5g sodium chloride, 2g sodium bicarbonate, 0.3g citric acid, 0.2g potassium acetate, and 0.05g potassium chloride in 1 liter of water.
Third, use specialized weaning feed. Early weaned piglets require a carefully formulated diet to minimize the stress of weaning and support the development of their digestive and immune systems. These feeds often include easily digestible ingredients like whey powder, extruded soybeans, fish meal, plasma protein, and fat. Acidifiers such as citric acid, enzyme supplements like protease, amylase, and phytase, as well as probiotics and prebiotics, are added to maintain a healthy gut microbiome, improve digestion, and reduce the negative effects of anti-nutritional factors.
Finally, manage feeding carefully. Piglets weighing around 12 kg should be fed five times a day, every 2.5 hours, with each meal being 80% full. After reaching 12 kg, they gradually transition to regular piglet feed, which is offered four times daily, every three hours. Each feeding should be timed so that the piglets eat until just full, with no leftovers. This controlled feeding helps promote better digestion, absorption, and overall growth. Once the piglets reach 20 kg, they can be moved out of the nursery and into the next phase of rearing.