Brazilian swine production is globally recognized for its high productivity, but this excellence comes with challenges, particularly related to animal housing, health, and nutrition. The farrowing and nursery phases are especially critical, requiring specific care to ensure the healthy development of piglets and the reproductive efficiency of sows.
In the farrowing phase, the focus is on ensuring piglets' immunity through effective colostrum intake and promoting a healthy intestinal microbiome via proper management and nutritional strategies. In the nursery, challenges include welfare, behavior, health, and nutrition, all of which are essential for balanced piglet growth.
Care for a good litter begins even before birth. The sow should be transferred to the farrowing crate a few days before the expected farrowing date, receiving appropriate nutritional management and time to adapt to the environment. Similar to their natural behavior, where sows build nests, it is crucial to provide a safe and comfortable environment. Nutritionally, it is recommended to gradually reduce feed, culminating in a minimal portion the day before farrowing, to prevent an overloaded gastrointestinal tract from complicating the delivery process.
An indicator of imminent farrowing is milk ejection by the sow, which can be observed up to 12 hours beforehand. This sign allows the team to organize and provide assistance, critical for piglet survival. Farrowing induction should be limited to a maximum of 30% of the females and performed only after 115 days of gestation, always prioritizing sows with a history of difficult farrowings.
The farrowing crates must be clean, dry, and equipped with heating pads set to 36–38°C. The farrowing process lasts, on average, two to six hours, with five- to twenty-minute intervals between births. Interventions are necessary if these intervals exceed 40 minutes, employing techniques such as sow movement, abdominal massage, or, in severe cases, intracervical palpation under strict hygiene protocols.
After birth, piglets must have their airways cleared, be dried, warmed, and have their umbilical cords treated with iodine solution. Nursing with colostrum within the first 24 hours is vital for piglet immunity, as antibodies are not transferred through the swine placenta. Each piglet should consume at least 200g of colostrum on the first day of life.
The first few days include procedures such as administering iron dextran on the third day to prevent anemia. Piglets undergo tail docking on the final third to prevent cannibalism and severe injuries. Male piglets are often castrated, typically via immunocastration in many production systems.
The introduction of creep feeding (supplementary feeding for piglets) from the 17th day of life is an essential practice for intestinal development and transitioning to a solid diet. Initial diets must be highly digestible, using high-biological-value ingredients and technologies that enhance nutrient absorption. When provided as a gruel, strict hygiene of the feeders is crucial.
Health management begins with cleaning and disinfecting farrowing crates, followed by a sanitary downtime to minimize pathogen pressure. Biosecurity measures are indispensable for preventing disease spread, including vector control and access monitoring to the facilities.
With global markets restricting the use of antimicrobials as growth promoters, integrated management practices using natural technologies, such as essential oils, organic acids, probiotics, and prebiotics, become increasingly necessary.
Finally, animal welfare must be ensured, including thermal comfort. While sows require a maximum ambient temperature of 22°C, piglets depend on heated pads to prevent crushing incidents. Efficient ventilation in farrowing rooms is also essential to eliminate toxic gases and maintain a healthy environment.
Comments