Managing piglet weaning
In conventional farming systems, piglets are weaned between 3-4 weeks of age. At this age, piglets suffer from changes in environment, diet and social surroundings. Proper management is crucial for limiting the impact of these changes on piglet's health and performance. Inadequate weaning management often results in maladaptive behaviour, digestive disorders and suboptimal growth.
How to recognise
Suboptimal piglet performance after weaning, high incidence of post-weaning diarrhoea, elevated post-weaning mortality and other health-related issues in the nursery phase are signs of inadequate weaning management.
The impact on the farmer
Suboptimal piglet performance in the nursery phase leads to lower weight piglets and ultimately to grower-finisher pigs with reduced growth performance.
By paying close attention to weaning management and using an approach that integrates feed, farm management and health, any negative impacts of weaning on piglet health and performance can be reduced.