Basic pig husbandry - the weaner

Summary

Weaning is a stressful experience for young piglets, affecting them both socially and physiologically. In many piggeries weaning is more stressful than it should be, with severe growth checks and even deaths. These deaths and growth checks have a large impact on grower herd performance, resulting in reduced profitability. However, high standards of management can dramatically reduce post-weaning losses and improve growth rates by moderating the stress of weaning.

Contents of this Primefact include the following:

• types of weaning
• problems associated with weaning
• pre-weaning management
• weaning procedure
• weaning small piglets
• weaner quarters
• feeding weaners
• water supply
• health and hygiene