Proper care of piglets is crucial to the success of a piggery business. In this guide, we will discuss the steps that must be followed to maintain the health and rapid growth of piglets, including exact pen measurements and the proper amount of feed.
1. Preparing the Right Pen
Ensure the Pen is Clean and Dry:
- Clean the pen before placing the piglets.
- Keep it dry to prevent the spread of disease.
Provide Adequate Space:
- Each piglet requires a pen measuring 1.2 meters x 1.5 meters. For each additional piglet, add 0.5 meters in width.
Maintain the Right Temperature:
- Keep the temperature inside the pen at 30–35°C for newborn piglets. By the second week, it can be reduced to 28–30°C.
2. Proper Feeding of Piglets
Start with Colostrum:
- Ensure piglets receive colostrum from their sow during the first week. Colostrum is the first milk produced after birth and is rich in antibodies that protect against disease, as well as nutrients that support growth and health.
Provide Creep Feed:
- Start creep feeding after two weeks. Creep feed is a specially formulated piglet feed that provides high energy and protein for rapid growth.
Amount of Creep Feed:
- Provide 25–50 grams per piglet during the first week of feeding.
- By the third week, increase to 100–150 grams per piglet per day.
- By the fourth week, this can reach 200–250 grams per piglet per day.
Always Provide Clean Water:
- Ensure there is always clean water accessible to the piglets. Change the water twice daily or more frequently if needed.
3. Monitoring Piglet Health
Regular Health Checks:
- Conduct regular health checks to ensure piglets are disease-free.
- Monitor weight weekly; piglets should gain 150–200 grams per day.
Follow the Proper Vaccination Schedule:
- Vaccinate piglets against common diseases like swine fever and pneumonia. The first vaccine should be given at 7–10 days of age.
Implement Regular Deworming:
- Deworm piglets at 14 days of age and repeat monthly.
4. Providing Proper Care
Ensure Adequate Lighting:
- Make sure the pen has sufficient lighting to keep piglets active. Provide 12–14 hours of light per day.
Maintain Proper Piglet Density:
- Avoid overcrowding to reduce stress and conflict. For piglets aged 1–4 weeks, the ideal number is 5–6 piglets per pen.
5. Training Piglets to Eat and Drink
Provide Creep Feed in Low Containers:
- Place creep feed in low containers so piglets learn to eat on their own. Each piglet should have 1.5 cm of feeding space to avoid competition.
Train Them to Use Nipple Drinkers:
- Teach piglets to drink from nipple drinkers to ensure adequate water intake. Nipple drinkers should be positioned 15 cm from the ground for newborn piglets, and raised to 30 cm as they grow.
6. Preparing for Weaning
Ensure Piglets are Ready:
- Make sure piglets weigh 5–7 kilos before weaning, typically at 21–28 days old.
Use the Gradual Weaning Process:
- Wean gradually to avoid stress and weight loss. Slowly reduce suckling until they are fully adapted to solid food.
7. Providing Long-Term Growth Support
Continue High-Quality Feed:
- Continue providing nutritious feed after weaning. Feed intake should reach 250–300 grams per piglet in the first week post-weaning.
Regular Health Monitoring:
- Continue regular health checks to ensure healthy growth. Target weight should be 20–25 kilos by 8 weeks of age.
✅ Conclusion
Following these steps will help ensure your piglets grow up healthy and strong. Proper care and management of piglets will not only improve production but also increase profits in your piggery business.