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Piglet Feeding Manual
PIGLET
June 2016
1. Introduction ___________________________________ 3
2. Topigs Norsvin terminal boars ____________________ 3
3. Feeding Topigs Norsvin piglets ____________________ 6
3.1 Introduction _________________________________ 6
3.2 Basic assumptions of the piglet feed program ______ 6
3.3 The feed programs in practice ___________________ 9
3.4 Diet specifications ___________________________ 13
3.5 Minerals and Vitamin requirements ______________ 16
3.6 Raw materials guidelines ______________________ 17
4. Piglet management ____________________________ 18
4.1 Birth weight ________________________________ 18
4.2 Creep feeding _______________________________ 19
4.3 The special pen _____________________________ 20
4.4 Post weaning environment ____________________ 22
4.5 The post weaning dip period ___________________ 24
Appendix _______________________________________ 25
1. Key aspects of a successful piglet feeding program __ 25
2. Growth and feed intake curves __________________ 26
3. Piglet managment and feeding check lists _________ 46
Table of contents
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Topigs Norsvin believes in a sustainable and balanced breeding program resulting in robust animals which produce robust progeny. The balanced breeding program is an advanced and sophisticated approach to breeding, which results in a pig capable of healthy and efficient high-level production under a wide range of farm conditions.
Important traits in the Topigs Norsvin breeding goals for maternal lines include mothering ability and litter size with a focus on large and vigorous litters. In recent years the litter size has grown substantially without an associated increase in preweaning mortality. Not only does this make piglet production more efficient, but it also lowers labour costs and veterinarian costs and contributes to improved animal welfare.
The most important factors in piglet rearing are to reach high feed intakes of solid feed, optimum growth rates, and most importantly a healthy gut. Once feed intake is established, good management and feeding practices should ensure optimal growth in the nursery. The feed program and management, before and during the nursery period, will influence lifetime performance and have economic consequences. Therefore, more attention is needed on both nursery nutrition and management with a strong focus on feed intake in order to offer the piglets the best start possible.
The aim of the piglet feeding manual is to provide a feeding guide based on the nutritional requirements of the sire lines progeny to achieve optimum performance during the nursery phase.
The manual is a support tool for our clients (e.g. farmers, companies) and partners (e.g. feed producers, research centre’s) and will provide them with recommendations on piglet management during suckling, weaning, and the nursery period including target weights for each period until the piglets are moved into the fattening barn. The following chapters contain practical instructions to ensure that piglets reach their set production targets.
1. Introduction
ASSURED NUTRITION FOR PIGLETS
Special thanks, to the team of Primary diets, in assisting the development of this manual.
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Continuous progress in swine genetics is improving the efficiency of pork production together with other desirable characteristics. The Topigs Norsvin sire lines are developed to satisfy different requirements for different markets around the world. Due to the rapid progress in pig genetics, it is important to feed all our genetic lines according to their continuously changing nutritional requirements.
The Topigs Norsvin sire lines have different characteristic traits, which means that each line has distinct requirements during the fattening period (>25 kg). However, the differences between the genetic lines are minimal from an early age (<25 kg) until the fattening period. Therefore, it is not necessary to develop very specific requirements for each line during this period. General requirements for the Topigs Norsvin piglets have been created and can be used for all terminal offsprings. Although the differences are minor (in terms of behaviour, feed intake capacity and special needs), the Topigs Norsvin genetic lines are different. These differences can be easily managed through well-developed diets and feed programs. The main characteristic of the Topigs Norsvin Terminal sires are given in figure 1.
Figure 1 Main characteristic of the Topigs Norsvin Terminal sires
Talent
The Talent progeny is known for its high daily gain, feed efficiency, and litter uniformity.
2. Topigs Norsvin terminal boars
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Tempo
Progeny of Tempo boars differentiate themselves in the market through high appetite and robustness, leading to fast growth and low mortality.
Top Pi
The Top Pi boar is a pure Piétrain line. The boar is homozygous stress-negative, which means that its progeny do not have the negative characteristics of the original Piétrain breed, like reduced meat quality and sensitivity. The progeny of the Top Pi boar are characterized as feed efficient and lean animals.
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Traxx
Traxx is a crossbred terminal sire produced by the cross Talent x Top Pi or vice versa. The progeny of Traxx boar combine the qualities of high growth and feed efficiency, good conformation, and litter uniformity.
Norsvin Duroc
The piglets of Norsvin Duroc boar show vitality and have a superior feed efficiency.
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Feeding Topigs Norsvin piglets
10
3.1 Introduction
Weaning is one of the most stressful times in the pig production cycle. Weaning is associated with adverse effects such as abrupt withdrawal of sow milk, low and variable feed intake, and adapting to a new environment. Post-weaning diarrhoea is a common problem, because the gastrointestinal tract is still developing. Diarrhoea can reduce daily gain and in some cases damages the gastrointestinal villi. All these changes and stressors early in life can have an effect on the piglets later in life and also make them more prone to diseases.
To help pigs through this stressful period, supportive nutrition and care are essential. Before, during, and after weaning it is very important to ensure that piglets receive a good quality diet which will help them to cope with all the changes.
Besides the required nutrients, the nursery diets should support gut development in piglets. The research shows that both growth rate and feed efficiency are highly sensitive to changes in feed quality in the first week post weaning. These challenges can be overcome through following the recommendations and guidelines provided in this manual.
3.2 Basic assumptions of the piglet feed program
The basic assumptions and principles used for developing the feed program for piglets are described and explained below:
Basic assumptionsTime frame: Starting at birth until 25 kg
Weaning ages: Different weaning ages, 21 and 28 days
Number of feeding phases: 3-phase feeding program from weaning to 25 kg
Type of feed programs: Two different feed programs where developed:
•Secure –focused on gut health •Potential –focused on max growth
Terminal line: Diets comply with needs of all terminal lines
Type of feed: Pelleted feed with dry matter of 88 %
Health status: Conventional health
Temperature zone: Ideal ambient temperatures
3. Feeding Topigs Norsvin piglets
11
To maximize the genetic potential of piglets, Topigs Norsvin adopted an approach based on the following key aspects, which we consider being essential for a successful piglet feeding program. The four aspects are shown in figure 2:
Weaning agesThe weaning age of piglets differs between countries and even between farms. The differences in feeding and managing piglets based on their weaning ages have been taken into account. In the piglet feeding programs the following distinctions have been made (based on weaning ages):
1. Weaning piglets at 21 days2. Weaning piglets at 28 days
The feed concepts and management guidelines presented in this manual are applicable for both groups (see Figure 3). The main difference between these two weaning age groups are the number of feeding days of the recommended diets.
Figure 2 Essential steps for a successful piglet feeding program
Figure 3 Layout of the Topigs Norsvin piglet feed program (bases on weaning age).
Learn to eat
Lear
n t
o e
at
Lear
n t
o e
at
1
1 1
2
2 2
3
3 3
4
4 4
Learn to digest +Learn the Feeder
Lear
n t
o d
iges
t
+Le
arn t
he
Feed
er
Lear
n t
o d
iges
t
+Le
arn t
he
Feed
er
Transition
Tran
siti
on
Tran
siti
on
Colostrum intake
Co
lost
rum
inta
ke
Co
lost
rum
inta
ke
All piglets should get a sufficient amount of colostrum from their own mother.
Help piglets prepare for the post weaning period by ensuring intake of solid feed already early in life.
Trigger and develop the digestive processes, preparing the gut for solid feed by feeding highly digestible piglet feed. Minimize stress and improve post-weaning feed intake, keep all changes to a bare minimum.
Gradual transition from milk based diets to nursery diets.
Age (days)
Weaning at 21 days Weaning at 28 days
Topigs Norsvin Feeding programs
Age (days)
0 03 314 1821 2826 33
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Type of feed programsFollowing the current developments around the world, regarding piglet feeding programs, a clear distinction is being made between programs focusing on optimal gut health and intestinal development versus programs focusing mainly on optimal growth and technical performance. Based on the main differences mentioned above, Topigs Norsvin developed two different feed programs. These programs are described below:
1. The Secure feed program - Focusing on optimal gut health and intestinal development.2. The Potential feed program - Focusing on optimal growth and technical performance.
Note that a good growth rate can be achieved at a favourable economic cost, regardless of which of the two programs one chooses to follow.
Basic assumptions of the Secure feed program:
•Focus on gut health and integrity
•More focus on preventing digestive upsets
•Slower start, but better lifetime performance
•Economic and environmental more favourable
Secure
21 days weaning
Potential
21 days weaning
Secure
28 days weaning
Potential
28 days weaning
Basic assumptions of the Potential feed program:
•Focus on optimal growth and technical performance
•Additives are used in most cases to manage the digestive upsets
•Fast start, higher nursery gains
•More expensive diets and feed programs
Topigs Norsvin Feeding programs
Secure Potential
Figure 4 Basic assumptions of the Secure and Potential feed programs.
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3.3 The feed programs in practice
Based on weaning age (21 or 28 days) and the type of feed program (Secure or Potential) the following programs and targets were developed (see also figure 4):
Option 1: Secure feed program, weaning piglets at 21 days of ageOption 2: Secure feed program, weaning piglets at 28 days of ageOption 3: Potential feed program, weaning piglets at 21 days of ageOption 4: Potential feed program, weaning piglets at 28 days of age
All feed programs are based on a minimum of 3-phases and cover the phase from weaning till 25 kg.
Option 1: Secure 21
The secure feed program is designed to support optimum development of the piglet gut. The feed program is also striving to prevent villi atrophy and impaired digestion which will reduce the occurrence of any digestive upset.
Figure 5 Topigs Norsvin targets for the Secure feeding program (21 days weaning)
Table 1 Secure 21’s feeding program targets
28.3
15.4
9.4
7.3
6.1
21 28 35
Age (days)
Targ
et w
eigh
t (k
g)
49 70
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Entire Period
Start weight (kg) 6.1 9.4 15.4 6.1
End weight (kg) 9.4 15.4 28.3 28.3
Weight gain (kg) 3.3 6.0 12.9 22.2
Average daily gain (g) 236 429 614 453
Feed per pig (kg) 3.6 8.2 22.0 33.8
FCR 1.1 1.4 1.7 1.5
Feeding days (approx.) 14 14 21 49
Phase 1ADG = 236 g
Feed intake = 3.6 kg
Phase 2ADG = 429 g
Feed intake = 8.2 kg
Phase 3ADG = 614 g
Feed intake = 22 kg
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Option 2: Secure 28
Figure 6 Topigs Norsvin targets for the Secure feeding program (28 days weaning)
29.2
15.7
9.4
7.8
28 35
Age (days)
Targ
et w
eigh
t (k
g)
49 70
Phase 1ADG = 229 g
Feed intake = 1.9 kg
Phase 2ADG = 450 g
Feed intake = 8 kg
Table 2 Secure 28’s feeding program targets
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Entire Period
Start weight (kg) 7.8 9.4 15.7 7.8
End weight (kg) 9.4 15.7 29.2 29.2
Weight gain (kg) 1.6 6.3 13.5 21.4
Average daily gain (g) 229 450 643 510
Feed per pig (kg) 1.9 8.0 22.5 32.4
FCR 1.2 1.3 1.7 1.5
Feeding days (approx.) 7 14 21 42
Phase 3ADG = 643 g
Feed intake = 22.5 kg
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Option 3: Potential 21
The Potential feed program focuses on optimal growth and technical performance in piglets. In most cases, specialized additives are needed in combination with higher nutrient dense diets to manage the digestive disorders/problems.
Figure 7 Topigs Norsvin targets for the Potential feeding program (21 days weaning)
31.4
17.1
10.4
8.0
6.7
21 3528
Age (days)
Targ
et w
eigh
t (k
g)
49 70
Phase 1ADG = 264 g
Feed intake = 3.9 kg
Phase 2ADG = 479 g
Feed intake = 8.8 kg
Table 3 Potential 21’s feeding program targets
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Entire Period
Start weight (kg) 6.7 10.4 17.1 6.7
End weight (kg) 10.4 17.1 31.4 31.4
Weight gain (kg) 3.7 6.7 14.3 24.7
Average daily gain (g) 264 479 681 504
Feed per pig (kg) 3.9 8.8 23.8 36.5
FCR 1.1 1.3 1.7 1.5
Feeding days (approx.) 14 14 21 49
Phase 3ADG = 681 g
Feed intake = 23.8 kg
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Option 4: Potential 28
Figure 8 Topigs Norsvin targets for the Potential feeding program (28 days weaning)
32.4
17.3
10.4
8.7
28 35
Age (days)
Targ
et w
eigh
t (k
g)
49 70
Phase 1ADG = 243 g
Feed intake = 2 kg
Phase 2ADG = 493 g
Feed intake = 8.7 kg
Table 4 Potential 28’s feeding program targets
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Entire Period
Start weight (kg) 8.7 10.4 17.3 8.7
End weight (kg) 10.4 17.3 32.4 32.4
Weight gain (kg) 1.7 6.9 15.1 23.7
Average daily gain (g) 243 493 719 564
Feed per pig (kg) 2.0 8.7 24.3 35
FCR 1.2 1.3 1.6 1.5
Feeding days (approx.) 7 14 21 42
Phase 3ADG = 719 g
Feed intake = 24.3 kg
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3.4 Diet specifications
The diet specifications are based on the feed intake and growth information collected by Topigs Norsvin and best practices working with the Topigs Norsvin lines. The daily nutrient requirements of the piglets were derived using the feed intakes and performance data and multiplying them with the actual dietary levels in the diets. The daily nutrient requirements are expressed as the amount of energy and standard ileal digestible (SID) lysine required per day to reach optimal performance. The diet min-max boxes allow for variation between farms, systems, and animals.
The diet specifications are given below. Different specifications are given for the Secure and Potential programs.
Table 5 Diet specifications for the Secure feed program
1 Net energy (NE) and standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine requirements are calculated based on ADFI (kg/d).2 Advised digestible and available phosphorous levels are based on diets formulated without the use of Phytase. If Phytase is being used, the phosphorus levels need to be readjusted. We recommend addition of phytase to the diet for improved digestibility.3 Amino acid profile was calculated based on the amino amino acids profile recommended by INRA (2013).
Nutrients
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3
Min Max Min Max Min Max
NE (MJ/kg)1 10.1 10.5 9.9 10.3 9.7 10.1
SID Lysine (g/kg)1 10.6 11.0 10.8 11.3 11.1 11.6
SID Lysine: NE ratio 1.05 1.05 1.10 1.10 1.15 1.15
Minerals
Ca (g/kg) 7.0 7.5 6.5 7.0 6.5 7.0
Available P (g/kg)2 5.0 5.4 4.3 4.7 4.1 4.4
Digestible P (g/kg)2 3.9 4.2 3.6 3.9 3.3 3.5
Na (g/kg) 2.5 3.5 2.0 2.5 2.0 2.5
Amino acid profile3
SID Lysine 100 100 100
SID Methionine 30 30 30
SID M+C 60 60 60
SID Threonine 65 65 65
SID Tryptophan 22 22 22
SID Isoleucine 52 52 52
SID Valine 68 68 68
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Table 6 Diet specifications for Potential feed program
1 Net energy (NE) and standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine requirements are calculated based on ADFI (kg/d).2 Advised digestible and available phosphorous levels are based on diets formulated without the use of Phytase. If Phytase is being used, the phosphorus levels need to be readjusted. We recommend addition of phytase to the diet for improved digestibility.3 Amino acid profile was calculated based on the amino amino acids profile recommended by INRA (2013).
Nutrients
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3
Min Max Min Max Min Max
NE (MJ/kg)1 10.3 10.7 10.1 10.5 9.9 10.3
SID Lysine (g/kg)1 13.4 13.9 12.6 13.1 11.9 12.4
SID Lysine: NE ratio 1.30 1.30 1.25 1.25 1.20 1.20
Minerals
Ca (g/kg) 7.5 8.0 7.0 7.5 7.0 7.5
Available P (g/kg)2 5.4 5.7 4.7 5.0 4.4 4.7
Digestible P (g/kg)2 4.2 4.4 3.9 4.2 3.5 3.8
Na (g/kg) 2.5 3.5 2.0 2.5 2.0 2.5
Amino acid profile3
SID Lysine 100 100 100
SID Methionine 30 30 30
SID M+C 60 60 60
SID Threonine 65 65 65
SID Tryptophan 22 22 22
SID Isoleucine 52 52 52
SID Valine 68 68 68
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Table 7 Performance targets and daily needs for piglets weaned at 21 days.
Table 8 Performance targets and daily needs for piglets weaned at 28 days.
Age (days)
Weight (kg) ADG (g) Feed
intake (g)
NE (MJ/day) SID Lys (g/day)
Min Max Min Max
Phase 1
21 6.1 - - - - - -
28 7.3 170 171 1.73 1.80 1.81 1.88
35 9.4 305 343 3.46 3.60 3.64 3.77
Phase 242 12.2 393 500 4.95 5.15 5.40 5.65
49 15.4 465 671 6.64 6.91 7.24 7.58
Phase 3
56 19.2 541 862 8.36 8.71 9.57 10.00
63 23.5 615 1042 10.10 10.52 11.56 12.08
70 28.3 686 1240 12.02 12.52 13.76 14.38
Age (days)
Weight (kg) ADG (g) Feed
intake (g)
NE (MJ/day) SID Lys (g/day)
Min Max Min Max
Phase 1
28 7.8 - - - - - -
35 9.4 229 271 2.80 2.90 3.64 3.77
42 12.2 400 471 4.76 4.95 5.93 6.17
Phase 249 15.7 500 670 6.77 7.04 8.44 8.78
56 19.7 571 829 8.20 8.53 9.86 10.27
Phase 363 24.2 643 1057 10.47 10.89 12.58 13.11
70 29.2 714 1329 13.15 13.68 15.81 16.47
The average weekly performance targets are displayed below. These targets are derived from the secure feed program, and can be seen as the minimum target. The performance targets, in combination with the recommended dietary recommendations are used to calculate the advised minimum and maximum daily requirements for energy and SID lysine.
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Table 9 Vitamin requirements of piglets (weaning until 25 kg)
Table 10 Mineral requirements of piglets (weaning until 25 kg)
* In order to improve selenium availability, 50 % of the selenium should come from an organic source.
Remarks
• Minerals and vitamins are based on the latest recommendations.
• The recommended mineral levels are presented as total amount in the feed and were derived from various sources.
• The recommendation of Topigs Norsvin is to use organic or chelated minerals as recommended by the suppliers. • Comply with the local legislation given per country.
Units Min Max
Fat soluble vitamins
Vitamin A IU 16000
Vitamin D3 IU 1800 2000
Vitamin E IU 100 150
Vitamin K mg 3.0 6.0
Water soluble vitamins
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) mg 4 5
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) mg 7.5 15
Vitamin B3 (Nicotinic acid) mg 50 55
Vitamin B5 (Panthotenic acid) mg 17.5 45
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) mg 4.0 8.0
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) mcg 50 60
Vitamin B9 (Folic acid) mg 1.25 2.5
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) mg - 200
Vitamin B7 (Biotin) mcg 100 400
Choline chloride mg 250 300
Units Min Max
Potassium g/kg 1.1
Magnesium g/kg 1 1.5
Iron ppm 160
Copper ppm 150
Iodine ppm 2
Selenium* ppm 0.3 0.5
Manganese ppm 65
Zinc ppm 100 -
3.5 Minerals and Vitamin requirements
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3.6 Raw materials guidelines
The right level of nutrients combined with good quality raw materials, will result in the best technical performance. A basic layout containing boundaries or suggestions for certain ingredients are provided to aid in the development of the piglet feeding programs.
Table 11 Ingredient boundaries for the Secure and Potential feeding programs.
Ingredients Secure Potential
Energy Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3
Cooked cereals (%) 15-30 5-15 0-5 15-25 5-10 0-5
MCFA oil + +
Lactose3 (%) 5-8 3-5 0-3 8-11 5-8 0-5
Protein
Fish meal ++ + ++ +
Blood plasma1 + +
Soybean meal + ++ +++ ++ +++ +++
Soybean protein concentrate +++ ++ +++ ++
Potato protein ++ + + + + +
Whey protein concentrate ++ + ++ +
Whey ++ + + ++ + +
Fiber
Wheat bran (%) 1-2 2-3 3-5 0-1 0-2 0-4
Sugar beet pulp (%) 1-2 1-2 1-3 0-2 0-2 0-3
Additives2
Organic acids +++ ++ + ++ + +
Pro-biotic ++ ++ + + + +
Pre-biotic ++ ++ + + + +
Enzymes + + + + + +
Organic minerals + + + + + +
Sweeteners/Flavorants + + ++ +
Antioxidants + + + + + +
1 The positive effects of using blood plasma are well recognised in piglets diets. The use of any animal by-product in piglets diets need to be discussed with the responsible veterinarian. 2 Please consult with your nutritionist to develop the ideal mix of proven additives.3 In case the weaning weight is lower than the targets, use creep feeds with higher lactose levels to help piglets to support feed intake immediately after weaning.
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4.1 Birth weight
The Topigs Norsvin feed programs have been developed without considering piglet birth weight as a limiting factor. However, since we know that weight at birth influences survivability and production performance of piglets, we have made a guideline to improve piglet birth weight. Heavier piglets (≥ 1.3 kg) are also more vital, also leading to higher colostrum intakes. Higher colostrum intakes increase their chance to cope with challenges during the weaning period and thrive as a fattening pig. Improved birth weight leads to:
• Improved lifetime average daily gain
• Reduced pre-weaning and post weaning mortality
• Higher milk and feed intake during lactation, improving weaning weights
There are several strategies in feeding and management which can be used to increase birth weight and litter uniformity.
4. Piglet management
Tips to increase birth weight in piglets:
• Check the diet regularly for mycotoxins. High levels of toxins could reduce the birth weight and vitality of the piglets.
• Prevent excessive body condition losses of sows during lactation as this could affect the next litter.
• Use the correct amino acid ration for optimal foetus development, especially during the last third of gestation.
• Arginine (substrate for nitric oxide) has an important role in regulating placental-foetal blood flows which is essential in transfer of nutrients and oxygen from mother to foetus
• It is critical to feed the correct level of minerals and vitamins to sows during gestation and lactation. Folic acid, Vitamin A, Iron, Zinc, and Mg all play a very important role in foetal development.
• It is recommended to add additional Omega-3 fatty acids to the diet during the last part of gestation (e.g. fish oil, linseed oil).
• Do not restrict the feed intake of sows that are over-weight during the last part of gestation (day 85-110), because feed restriction can lead to impaired piglet growth. Try to avoid farrowing induction, as premature farrowing can reduce piglet birth weight with 40 to 50 grams per day.
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4.2 Creep feeding
Creep feeding is defined as the feeding practice of feeding piglets solid feed during the nursing period to aid intestinal development and to ease the transition from the farrowing house to the nursery house. Creep feeding has various advantages, but using the right diets and implementing proper feeding management practices are necessary to obtain any benefits.
Creep feeding in practise:• Offer highly palatable diets, containing high amounts of milk products (lactose).
• Offer creep feeds early to the piglets. Start at least at day 7 of age. Studies have shown, that the earlier creep feed is offered the greater proportion of piglets will be eating at weaning. When creep is offered from seven days of age, around 10 percent more of the litter will be eating at weaning compared to when creep is offered from day 14 or 18.
• Creep feeding tends to work best when it is frequently offered in small amounts. Start with very small amounts from around seven days of age, and replace it at least twice a day. This ensures the creep feed remains fresh and palatable to the piglets.
• The creep feed should be offered on a flat surface (e.g. the floor) to stimulate rooting behaviour.
• If you choose to use a creep feeder, it should be placed near the water drinker for piglets.
• Giving the creep feed while the sow is eating has shown to increase creep feed intakes.
• Place the feeder far away from the heating lamp as heat can deteriorate the quality of feed.
• Make sure that piglets have ad lib access to good quality water. If piglets are eating creep feed, they will need a steady supply of clean drinking water.
• Store the creep feed in a cool and dry place to preserve the quality.
Feeding the first days post weaning:In order to increase the feed intake after weaning, the creep feed used before weaning can be supplied as gruel. The gruel is a mixture of warm water (40°C) and dry feed mixed in a ratio of 3:1. Gruel can be offered alongside traditional dry feed up to five days post weaning.
The advantages of creep feeding include:• Creep feeding not only improves weaning weights, but it also improves post-weaning
feed intake and piglet performance.
• It improves feed conversion ratio (lower cost/kg gain) by the improvement in gut structure and microflora.
• Creep feed can help to close the gap between piglets nutrient requirements and the nutrients supplied by the sow’s milk, which can be limiting to reach the maximum genetic performance of piglets (especially at older weaning weights).
• Creep feeding can be especially beneficial in large litters where the competition for resources (milk) is large.
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Feed the piglets with gruel as close as possible to the feeders in order to associate the gruel with the feeder and increase feed intake. Gruel feeding of diets with high milk content is most beneficial for the smallest piglets post weaning to help them with the transition.
Gruel is recommended to be used during the first days after weaning as presented in table 12:
4.3 The special pen
Piglet weaning weights are highly related to their birth weight but, through optimal management of both the sow and her piglets, weaning weights can be improved and litter variation reduced, giving piglets a better chance to thrive after weaning. In order to improve uniformity in fattening units it is often useful to group the 10% worst performing pigs and follow a separate feed program whereby they can be fed better diets for a longer period of time. This management practice promotes growth of the lighter pigs and reduces the variation out of the nursery.
Table 12 Number of feedings per day when using gruel feeding
Days after weaning 0 1 2 3 4 5
Times per day
Feeding gruel, tips• Gradually reduce the amount of water in the gruel to increase the dry matter content of the feed.
• Always use warm water to mix the gruel. Piglets are used to warmer milk.
• Decrease the number of gruel feedings over a period of five days.
• Feed multiple times (3 or 4) per day to keep the freshness and to avoid spoilage.
• Feed an amount of gruel that can be consumed within in a few minutes (<10 min).
• Use bigger round feeders or longer troughs. Piglets prefer to eat together.
• Gruel pans should be cleaned and the stale gruel removed before new gruel is fed.
The special pen
• Group all the lighter and weaker piglets together in one pen.
• Select the right pen. The pen should be easy to access as more management attention is needed, but also with more light, heat and without draft air. If the entire floor is slatted, cover it partly to help the piglets to control their body temperature.
• Provide an extra source of heat in case the temperature is not high enough (< 28°).
• Feed these piglets creep or highly digestible piglet feed for a longer period to help them to catch up. Follow a similar gruel feeding program as described in the manual.
• Always remember: a special pen is only special if you do something special to it.
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4.4 Post weaning environment
Water• Provide additional water (nipples and pan
drinkers) to stimulate early water intake.
• Water can be added to the gruel feeders after feeding.
• Drinkers should be placed preferably over a slatted area.
• Place a min of 1 drinker per 10 piglets at the right height (see Table 13).
• Provide water with a flow between 500 and 1000 ml per minute.
• Regarding the quality, the level of total dissolved solids (TDS) should be lower than 1000 ppm.
Light
Dunging area
Feeding area
Water Feed
Dunging area• The flooring should be slatted floors which
allow the faeces to fall through.
• Try to make piglets defecate and urinate in the desired corner by creating artificially additional corners.
• If piglets start to use the whole pen for defecation, this indicates a critical reduction in optimal environment
Feed• Allow more feeder space per piglets in the first
days after weaning so they can all eat together.
• The first days after weaning, the pan coverage should be 100%, later reduce it to 50% in order to reduce feed wastage.
• In addition to the main feeder use a similar feeder as in the lactation room in order to increase feed intake by feeding gruel.
Playground
27
Playground• Keep piglets occupied.
• The right rooting material will reduce stress, boredom, and aggressive behavior.
• Keep to the local regulations in suppling rooting material.
Resting area• It is advised to keep part of the pen a solid floor
for the resting area.
• Keep the resting area clean, warm and dry at all times.
• Ventilation should be at a minimum in this area.
• Use a cover above the resting area to create a warmer climate.
Light
Resting area
Lighting• Proper light in the room will increase feed
intake.
• A brighter barn promotes better toilet beha-viour.
• Target a light intensity after weaning of 100 lux, meusaured at the level of the pig.
• Provide 23 hours of light directly after weaning (only for 1 day).
• Provide at least 16 hours of light after weaning (> day 2), followed by at least 8 hours of darkness.
Playground
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The housing system plays an important role during the early life of pigs and the layout of the pen has a crucial influence on development and behaviour of the piglets. Occurrence of stereotypical behaviour could be caused by the layout of the pen. A good layout of the pen combined with the right pen size, temperature, feeder placement will fulfil the piglets’ needs thus improving performance and reducing behavioural problems.
A bad environment could increase pre- and post-weaning mortality, decrease the growth rate, increase the variability within the litter, and, in the end, decrease the total output of the farm. The housing system is one of the main factors which affects the production of the farm, but it is quite often overlooked.
Table 13 Housing requirements for specific live weight of piglets
•Piglets eat less feed than they need.
•Piglets utilize food for heat production rather than for growth.
•Poor feed efficiency.
•Piglets will lie on top of each other to keep warm.
•Piglets may become more susceptible to diseases (reduced growth rate; increased mortality).
•Piglets seek cooler parts of the pen such as draughts or wet areas.
•Increased level of water intake (urinating and dunging in the nest to provide an area for cooling).
•Decreased feed intake as feeding increases the body temperature.
•Reduced activity within the litter.
•Reduced lean deposition.
•Death may occur.
Low High
Temperature
How does it look in practice?
Pigs are too cold: Pigs are too hot:
Figure 9 Importance of managing the temperature post weaning.
Live weight (kg) 5 - 7 8 - 12 13 - 18 19 - 25
Temperature (°C) 28 26 23 20
Water Intake (l/pig/day) 0.6 1.0 1.9 2.6
Drinker Height - angled (cm) 20 25 35 35
Min. Stocking Density (m2) 0.15 0.17 0.20 0.25
Light Intensity (lux) 50(+) 50 50 50
The temperature is critical for piglets’ optimal growth. Piglets should be kept in a thermal neutral zone where minimal energy is used for maintenance and the rest for piglet growth.
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4.5 The post weaning dip period
Weaning piglets at four weeks of age or younger forces the piglets to consume solid food, which consists primarily of grain and vegetable protein rather than milk. The change of diet, coupled with the stress of weaning and the change of environment after weaning, leads to what is known as the post-weaning dip period. This period of 7 to 10 days is characterized by variable feed intake, low weight gain, and poor feed conversion. These observations suggest that there is a problem with the young piglet’s ability to digest and utilize the given diets. A good and stable feed intake during this period is important to reduce the piglet’s susceptibility to low grade infections that could lead to scours. The efficiency of pork production can be improved by implementing practices that can overcome problems during the post-weaning dip period.
Below a few tips to overcome/prevent this challenging period:
• Creep diets should be developed to establish a favourable environment for GIT (gastro intestinal tract) bacteria to aid in the digestion of nutrient components. It is important to create an optimal pH (<4.5) for protein digestion and for inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria. The following feed additives could be supportive :
· Acidifiers
· Essential oils
· Pro-biotics
· Pre-biotics
· Enzymes
· Short- and medium-chain fatty acids
• Lowering the crude protein content and supplying synthetic amino acids to achieve an equal standardized ileal digestible content of amino acids could have beneficial effects on the overall digestion of piglet feeds. To ensure the best digestibility of the feed and to reduce digestive disorders, feed should be grinded to 0.5 – 0.6 mm. Feed particle size should be regularly monitored to ensure the optimal grinding size has been adhered to.
• When developing creep and weaner diets, special attention should be given to the choice of raw materials used. Raw materials should be highly digestible, very palatable, and have low buffer capacities.
• Protein and fat digestibility of raw materials play an essential role in developing creep and weaner diets. Highly digestible protein and fat sources should be used.
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More about additives1. Organic acids are well known to lower the pH in the stomach, which will reduce the
occurrence of Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Clostridium, or Streptococcus. Organic acids can be added to the piglet diet in the form of lactic and formic acid.
2. ZnO – Zinc-oxide – is an inorganic compound which is used to control diarrhoea which occurs as the intestinal microbiota changes. Inclusion levels should be according to legislation (for your country).
3. The ABC (acid-binding capacity) of a feed/raw material is the degree to which a raw material is resistant to a pH change. This acid-binding capacity is very important in piglet feed, and should not be higher than 250-300 mEq.
4. The Calcium source is very important for its buffering capacity. In the nursery phase, sources of Ca such as limestone should be partially replaced by a more available source such as Calcium formate. The source of Ca is changed in order to obtain a lower ABC value.
5. Inclusion of prebiotics and probiotics supports the intestinal gut flora and health of the piglets. These products together with organic acids can be used as an alternative solution for antibiotics.
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Appendix
1. Key aspects of a successful piglet feeding program
Learn to eat
1
2
3
4
Learn to digest +Learn the Feeder
Transition
Colostrum intake
All piglets should get a sufficient amount of colostrum from their own mother.
• Split suckling: split the litter into two groups (first born vs. last born). Ensure that the piglets born later also have sufficient time and space to consume colostrum. TIP – Mark the first few piglets born to know later on which piglets were born first.
• Piglets need on average 250 g of colostrum to be vital.
• The concentration of IgG in colustrom drop by 60 % in the first 12 hours after farrowing. Therefore, intake of colostrum shortly after birth is crucial.
• Check the stomachs of piglets to ensure they got colostrum.
Help piglets prepare for the post weaning period by ensuring intake of solid feed already early in life.
• Teach and train piglets to eat from a feeder, already starting at day 7 of age.
• Only use highly digestible and palatable creep feeds - high in lactose and sugar - to learn them to eat.
• Feed small quantities, more often per day to stimulate feed intake.
• Common feed intake is around 25 to 30 g per piglet per day.
To trigger and develop the digestive processes, prepare the gut for solid feed by feeding highly digestible piglet feed.
• Teach/train the digestive system to digest vegetable protein and complex starch.
• Start introducing Soy proteins and cooked cereals.
• To minimize stress and to improve post-weaning feed intake, keep all changes to a bare minimum.
• Use similar feeders (design and colour) as used during the lactation period.
Gradual transition from milk based diets to nursery diets.
• Use the same creep diet during the transition phase (farrowing to nursery).
• Follow the recommended procedures (gruel feeding, feeding amounts, feeding times, and feeding schedules) as given in this manual to ensure a smooth transition from milk to solid feed.
• When possible, the feeder space should be enough in order to ensure that all the piglets in the pen can eat together.
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2. Growth and feed intake curves
Topigs Norsvin developed weight and feed intake curves for the offspring of all 5 terminal sire lines. In order to fulfill the requirements of different production systems around the world, the curves are based on the following criteria:
• Terminal sire (Talent, Tempo, Top Pi, Traxx or Norsvin Duroc)• Weaning age (21 or 28 days) • System of measurement (Kg or Lb)
All the curves can be found in the Piglet Feeding Monitor at www.feedmonitor.topigsnorsvin.com in PDF or Excel format. Examples of a weight development and feed intake curves similar to the ones which can be downloaded from the Piglet Feeding Monitor are presented below.
0 7 14 21 28 35 42 49 56 63 70
28 35 42 49 56 63 70
Norsvin Duroc - Weight curve
Norsvin Duroc - Feed intake
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Topigs Norsvin Advice
Slow growers
Fast growers
Topigs Norsvin Advice
Slow growers
Fast growers
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3. Piglet management and feeding checklists
Below a detailed management and feeding check list that has been developed to help producers to get all aspects in place to be able to reach the highest technical and economical results.
Our recommendation is to work through the list for each batch of piglets that is being weaned or adapt and develop your own on-farm list for staff members to ensure all procedures and protocols are imple-mented to maximize the technical results.
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CHECkLIST
Empty feeders and remove faeces from pens.
Pre-soak for 6 to 12 hours and reduce ventilation to enhance soaking; pull manure plugs to allow drainage.
Clean the room with a power-washer using hot water and detergent including all exposed areas and feeders. Pay attention to slats, fan blades, air ducts, and light bulbs.
Once cleaned, restart ventilation.
Disinfect all equipment with a correct concentration of disinfectant.
Flush out the water line, clean header tanks, and ensure all nipple drinkers are not blocked and have the correct flow rate.
Adjust nipple drinkers to ensure they are at shoulder height of the smallest pigs (horizontal nipples) or just above shoulder height (angled nipples) and ensure that water availability is obvious either via a bowl or cup or through allowing the water to drip from the drinker.
Ensure that the room is warm and dry prior to entry of the piglets. Set the thermostat to standard temperature recommendation 28°C.
Ensure that the ventilation system does not lead to chilling of piglets with draughts – this can be a cause of diarrhoea.
Add heat mats or feed mat if required to the pen.
Just before pigs enter, ensure feeders have fresh feed and are adjusted so that approximately 40% of the feeder trough is covered with feed. Do not tighten feeders too much to avoid that piglets have to work excessively to obtain feed.
If feeding gruel (feed and water mixed), ensure that the bowl or tray is clean and that fresh gruel is made and used throughout.
Ensure that the correct feeding program is in place according to weaning weight including provision for smaller pigs within the nursery system.
On the day of the pigs’ arrival, set-up fresh disinfectant foot bath at the entry point to each room.
How to prepare the nursery room
Nursery rooms should be fully prepared before each batch:
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CHECkLIST
General advice about piglet managementPiglet heath and viability is vitally important in achieving maximum litter weaning weights. It is imperative, in all stages of pig production, to minimize disease challenge since increased immune system activity decreases growth performance and efficiency.
Consideration should be given to:
Maximizing colostrum intakes in the first six hours of life. This is vital to piglet survival and health.
Split suckling, particularly with large litters, should be practiced to increase colostrum intake.
Cross fostering, to enable all piglets to have an equal opportunity to suckle enough milk. This should only be done after all piglets have finished suckling colostrum from their mother. Piglets of approximately the same size and age should then be transferred to a sow where they all have access to a teat. More important is to focus on keeping litters together and to improve internal biosecurity and reduce risk of spreading diseases.
Small piglets should ideally be grouped on parity 2 or 3 sows with easily accessible small teats, but not onto gilts, as low milk production during the first lactation (as a result of only suckling small piglets) will negatively impact on subsequent lactation performance.
Daily checks should be performed to ensure all animals are thriving. If they aren’t, intervention with treatment or fostering should be applied to ensure growth loss is minimized.
Hygiene is of paramount importance and relates to all areas, including farrowing house personnel, the farrowing crate floor and feeder, all equipment and instruments used, such as teeth grinders, tail clippers, needles, etc.
Disease prevention – vaccination and treatment policies against known disease problems in the herd should be reviewed with your vet to minimize the disease challenge and optimize performance.
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Creep feeding
Nutrition
Feeder space
Feed form
Water supply
Temperature
Lighting
Weaning stress
How to improve?
Creep feed early
Feed little and often
Avoid changing diet at weaning
Feed highly palatable, nutrient dense diets
Blend diets between change over to avoid sudden changes
Ensure extra feeder space at weaning
Ideal feeder space allowance is 100 mm/pig
Gruel feeding for a few days after weaning encourages intake
Ensure adequate supply of fresh clean water
1 nipple drinker per 10 pigs or 1 bowl per 20 pigs
Minimum flow rate of 0.7 l/min
Pigs won’t consume their first meal in the dark
Increase the period of lighting for first 23 hours post-weaning
Avoid additional stress at weaning where possible (e.g. vaccination etc.)
Pigs will reduce feed intake when too hot or too cold
Air temperature should be 28 °C at weaning; reduced to 20 °C by 20 kg
Factor
Improve the feed intake after weaning
There is a number of nutritional and management factors that have been shown to have a dramatic effect on post weaning feed intake and subsequent growth and they can be easily implemented on your farm fairly simply
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CHECkLIST
The first days after weaning (72 hours post-weaning) The first days after weaning are critical and it is very important to pay more attention and put more effort to ensure that the piglets are overcoming easily this challenging period.
On arrival, sort pigs by sex and weight and assign to pens.
Do not use 10% of pens, keep them available as sick pens in a proper place of the building to avoid further stress, such as draughts etc.
If required, vaccinate or tag pigs whilst assigning to pens to avoid double handling.
If applicable, ensure that the room climate controls are set with the correct batch settings for the temperature, ventilation, days, and number of pigs present.
Ensure that room temperature is monitored.
If pigs have been transported a long distance, provide an electrolyte or glucose solution.
Check water flow. The water source should be easy to find – use a supplementary drinking bowl such as a turkey drinker for the initial three days post-weaning.
If mats are being used, place them in front of feeder and put a small quantity of feed on the mat to reduce wastage. Crumb or meal feed is preferable, mats with a lip will reduce feed wastage dramatically. Feed should not be oversupplied – feed on a “little but often” basis (ideally at least 3 times daily).
Observe pigs regularly to ensure they have adapted to feeders and water drinkers.
Pigs taking longer than 80 hours to consume feed after placement will be the problem pigs at a later date. Separate them to a sick pen now and feed separately with a gruel placed in bowls within the pen.
Identify injured pigs and place them in a sick pen to treat accordingly.
Monitor health regularly - deteriorating health can include sneezing, coughing, rough hair, and lack of activity. Lethargic pigs or a pile of animals in a pen corner indicate discomfort and poor health.
Monitor environmental factors such as ammonia levels, light bulbs and lighting programs, feed bins, and bridging of feed.
Do not leave feed bags in the nursery.
Adjust feeders so that 40% of the feeder trough is covered with feed and that the pigs do not have to excessively “work the feeder”. Feeder adjustment should be reviewed daily in the first 72 hours post-weaning.
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CHECkLIST
The first two weeks after weaning (72 hours – 14 days post-weaning)
If mat feeding, remove the mats after 3 days (72 hours).
If the room climate controls are not on a present curve, adjust room temperature according.
Monitor pigs’ behaviour regularly to spot management or health issues.
Adjust drinker height daily if needed. Horizontal drinkers should be at ap-proximately shoulder height of the smallest pig in the pen, angled drinkers slightly above shoulder height.
Pigs assigned to the sick pens will need more attention.
Where possible, feed the initial pre-starter feed for a longer period.
Observe feed changes to ensure transition goes well and to see if there are any changes in manure condition.
Feed a high quality diet post weaning – it is important to get the pigs off to a good start to get a better result during finishing.
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CHECkLIST
Nursery routine (14 days post-weaning to end of nursery)
Continue a daily walk through.
Refresh disinfectant baths and assign specific boots to a specific house to improve biosecurity.
Monitor and record minimum and maximum temperature levels to aid with management of the room. Monitor pig activity and behaviour; are they coughing, etc. Check each pen and ensure that all pigs get up and move.
Check drinker height and flow.
Check feeder adjustment and remove any stale or wet feed.
Remove dead pigs from pen and dispose within guidelines.
Record all deaths - day and weight if possible.
Record all small piglets’ removals (day and weight).
Adjust ventilation as pigs grow larger. Monitor air quality for ammonia:
• At 50 ppm, pigs lose the ability to clear harmful bacteria from their respiratory tract.
• At 100 ppm, the lining of airways becomes damaged.
• At > 100 ppm, sneezing becomes prominent and appetite is suppressed.
Monitor feed quality:
•Particle size should be between 0.6 to 0.8 mm.
•Look at pellet quality and level of fines.
•Use a high quality feed with quality raw materials to maximize performance.
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CHECkLIST
Clean up and review the nursery (End of nursery period)
Move pigs into finisher accommodation and feed according to the feed program to meet target grower/finisher growth rates.
Weigh all pigs out of the nursery and compare against target growth.
Review feed budgets: was the correct amount of each diet fed? If not, this can have a negative impact on technical and financial performance.
Review vaccination and medication programs to see if they were followed as outlined by the veterinarian.
Review performance data for each batch. Evaluate target goals and achievements and review the feeding program for the next batch of pigs entering the nursery.
Start preparing the nursery for the next batch of pigs.
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Postal Address: P.O. Box 86, 5268 ZH Helvoirt, The Netherlands
Visiting Address: Helvoirtseweg 227, 5263 LT Vught, The Netherlands
Telephone: +31 411 64 88 70
Fax: +31 411 64 88 03
E-mail: [email protected]
www.topigsnorsvin.com
