Weaning in piglets refers to the separation of piglets from the sow. Typically, this transition occurs at three to four weeks old, although the timing can vary depending on farm practices and management goals. Weaning is a stressful moment for piglets, as they have to adjust to social, environmental, physiological and nutritional changes. All these changes occur at once and often lead to the well-known post-weaning diarrhea. To help with each change, Champrix provides some practical tips to go from weaning problems to a smooth transition weaning period.
Social Change
Separating piglets from the sow and their littermates causes social stress, weakening the immune system and increasing susceptibility to infections. To reduce the social stress, follow these tips:
- Keep littermates together after weaning
- Group litters together based on their approximate body weight
- Create sufficient feeding places
Environmental Change
After weaning, piglets go to a new pen where different microbes are present. Make sure no pathogens are present in the pen when the newly weaned piglets arrive.
- Clean and disinfect all houses and materials
- Apply a resting period of 5 to 7 days (leave the clean pen empty before the new piglets arrive)
Physiological Change
Many changes occur right after weaning in a piglet's body. During this time, the passive immunity from sow's milk decreases while the active immunity is still developing. As a result, piglet immunity is low around the time of weaning. Additionally, intestinal function and enzyme production are not yet optimal at this age. Combined with environmental and nutritional changes, it is challenging for the piglet's body to fight the pathogens.
Nutritional Change
The nutritional change involves moving from relying on sow milk to eating solid feed only. If the piglet is not used to eating some solid feed before weaning it will have much difficulty with digesting the solid feed. Piglets often show a period of decreased feed intake after weaning. Together with the change in diet, this leads to gut-wall damage and decreased digestion. The undigested feed is then a substrate for pathogens, increasing the infection pressure. The most important thing to do is to let the piglets get used to eating solid feed already before weaning.
- Introduce piglets to solid creep feed in the farrowing pen
- Use the same feed in the first week after weaning
- Ensure piglets have good weight at weaning (supplement with feed/milk)
- Supply high quality pre-starter feed around weaning, therefore use Champrix’ Novo Pre-Starter Concentrate.
Champrix's NoVo Pre-Starter Concentrate:
The NoVo Pre-Starter Concentrate includes multiple special additives to help against post-weaning diarrhea.
Organic acids and MCFAs
Organic acids and MCFAs are effective antimicrobial agents, helping to control the growth of harmful bacteria in the piglet's gastrointestinal tract. In addition, they lower the gastrointestinal pH which promotes digestion of the solid feed. Overall, the inclusion of organic acids and MCFA's in pig pre-starter feed contributes to better gut health, nutrient utilization, and growth performance in newly weaned piglets.
Lactose
The Novo concentrate contains lactose to serve as a highly digestible source of energy for newly weaned piglets. Lactose helps to mimic the nutrient profile of sow milk, providing a familiar and easily digestible carbohydrate source. This helps to support the piglet's energy requirements during the transition to solid feed, promoting early growth and development. Additionally, lactose stimulates the growth of beneficial bacteria in the piglet's gut, contributing to improved gut health and overall performance.
NSP enzymes
NSP (Non-Starch Polysaccharide) enzymes improve the digestibility of fibrous components in the feed. These enzymes help break down fibers that are otherwise indigestible by piglets into simpler sugars, which can then be utilized for energy. Improved fiber digestion reduces post-weaning diarrhea and promotes gut health during the critical post-weaning stage.
The piglets undergo many changes during weaning, but with the tips you just read, you can transition from weaning problems to a smooth weaning period. By paying extra attention during this critical period, the health and production of the piglets will be enhanced in the long term. Feeding an excellent pre-starter feed plays an important role here. Using Champrix's NoVo Pre-Starter Concentrate provides the piglets with support from an optimal diet, including special additives that support the piglet against post-weaning diarrhea.
