Small Scale Livestock Production by D. SREEKUMAR P.V. SREENIVASAIAH & P.V. Sreenivasaiah

Author:D. SREEKUMAR,P.V. SREENIVASAIAH & P.V. Sreenivasaiah [Sreekumar, D. & Sreenivasaiah, P.V.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mint Associates Ltd
Published: 2014-12-16T18:30:00+00:00

16

Management of Piglets

Piglets form the foundation for the pig unit. Hence, care and management of the piglets is cardinal for the profitability of the enterprise as a whole; more the number of piglets born and survive, better will be the productivity and profitability of the venture. Hence, details of care and management of piglets is described below with a specific consideration of a small – scale pig production unit.

1. Management of piglets at birth:

Care of piglets naturally begins at once they are born. At birth, the following should be kept in mind by the farmer:

1. Proper care should be taken to avoid any infection

2. Immediately after birth, nostrils are cleaned, mucous from the respiratory tract is cleared and observed whether the new born is breathing or not

3. If there is any difficulty in breathing, artificial respiration has to be provided

4. Artificial respiration can be given by alternatively pressing and releasing the chest region

Note: If there is no result, then

(a) Insert a twig of straw or dried grass in to the nostrils. This will initiate sneezing and will result in clearing the tract

(b) If this also fails, hold the new born animal by the hock and swing it to and fro (upside down) so that the mucous flows out

(c) If this does not work out then mouth – to – mouth respiration should be resorted to. By closing the nostrils, blow in expired air into the mouth of the new born. The carbon dioxide in the expired air will initiate breathing

5. Tie the navel cord about 2 inches from the body and cut it. Apply antiseptic lotion (like Betadine) to the cut end

6. Dry the new born by scrubbing with a dry cloth because, gilt / sow which has given birth will not lick the new born piglets

7. If there is any difficulty in standing, assist the young ones to stand.

8. Cut the needle teeth by means of sharp scissors or nippers

9. Allow the new born to suck colostrum at the earliest (i.e. within half an hour)

10. Observe for any congenital defects and cull those with severe congenital defects at birth itself

11. Observe all natural openings of each piglet born and those with defects should be separated and examined by a Veterinarian for suitability for further rearing

12. Give proper identification mark by ear notching for all the piglets used for further rearing

1.1. Do piglets need additional heat soon after birth?

Yes. Piglets immediately after birth are not able to protect them from extreme cold weather. At birth they are highly susceptible to extreme cold.

1.1.1. Why?

It is noted that the body temperature of piglets drop by about 1.7 to 7.2º C in the first 30 minutes after birth. This will return back to normal by 48 hours. This drop will be high in smaller piglets because of higher surface area per unit weight than normal piglets. A new born piglet has very poor insulation due to inadequate fat cover below the skin (subcutaneous fat) and therefore, it loses heat to its surroundings very easily.

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