Purina Animal Nutrition provided tips for minimizing the stress of weaning at an industry seminar at World Pork Expo. Presenters shared information on employee empowerment and young pig nutrition, crediting nursery management and the weaning transition as key drivers to industry success.
“Early pig management sets the stage for Full Value Pigs, with the post-weaning period playing a big role in the process,” said Becky Bierlein, young animal specialist for Purina Animal Nutrition. “The biggest stress on a pig’s life is moving him or her from the sow to the nursery. Your toolbox is your support system in minimizing that stress, so load it to the gills.”
Attentive management is especially important post-weaning due to the young age of the piglets.
“We need to remember that weaned pigs are still babies when they arrive in the nursery,” added Sarah Probst Miller, DVM, creative director and president of AgCreate Solutions, Inc. “These 3-week old pigs are the equivalent of a 2-year old human. They need more intensive care and people looking after them more intensively in the first 3-5 weeks in the weaning barn because that’s when they are more likely to fall behind or get sick.”
To minimize the stress of weaning, a producer’s post-weaning toolbox should provide: employee education, a healthy environment and quality hydration and nutrition to young pigs.
Employee empowerment
A successful post-weaning toolbox begins with educated employees, said Probst Miller.
“At the end of the day, the pigs don’t raise themselves,” she said. “We need people who are committed to providing good care and who know the importance of their daily actions. When our teams have the tools and knowledge to be successful, we become ordinary people doing extraordinary things.”
To empower employees, Probst Miller encourages team leaders to educate their teams on the industry and the importance of their actions, outlining a nursery care process with the following tips:
- Clearly outline day-in and out responsibilities;
- Emphasize why actions are important;
- Verify completion of tasks.
Environment
“The environment for the weaned pig should be comfortable to keep stress low,” said Dan McManus, swine specialist for Purina Animal Nutrition. “Evaluate and adjust temperature, ventilation and humidity routinely.”
- Temperature: Start young pigs at about 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Transition temperature down to roughly 65 degrees Fahrenheit over a seven week period.
- Air quality: Maintain ventilation to keep air fresh. Well-functioning ventilators help remove undesirable compounds, including ammonia, dust and pathogens.
- Humidity: Relative humidity should be maintained between 50 and 60 percent to prevent bacterial and viral growth.