Weaning

Creep feed should be offered prior to weaning

The separation of piglets from the dam is called weaning. Weaning is necessary for the sow to recreate, to restore her body resources and start breeding again. The piglets' diet is changed from sow milk to solid feed of high energy density. The optimum age for weaning is controversially discussed. Most pork producers wean their litters at 3 to 4 weeks of age.

The younger the pigs at weaning, the higher the requirements towards housing, hygiene and nutrition.

Weaning means a drastic change in a young pig's life. Adjustment to a new diet, new environment, new penmates and the sudden absence of the sow are distressing and often result in reduced daily gains, depression, aggressiveness and increased susceptibility to infections. The transition from the farrowing pen to the weaning pen should be as smooth as possible to minimize the stress for the piglets.

Usually, piglets of different litters are combined in groups of similar size and moved to weaner pens. To prevent fights among weaning groups of mixed litters, many pork producers remove the partitions between neighboring farrowing pens a few days prior to weaning date. Thus providing the chance for piglets to become acquainted with each other.

Ideally, the sow is being removed and the piglets are allowed to remain in the familiar environment for a few days until moved to the weaning pens. This procedure may encourage them to eat the new diet and drink water.

Weaning facilities have to meet the pigs environmental needs. The ambient temperature should not fall below 27°C during the first week and the housing should be draft-free. Wire-mesh weaner cages and perforated floorings are quite popular because they are easy to clean and labor efficient. Still, weaner pens with concrete floors and bedding, such as straw or wood shavings provide several advantages. Bedding preserves the body heat and prevents from drafts. Chewing of straw, rooting and playing diverts the animals attention and helps to decrease the number of fights among penmates. Injuries on legs and feet occur more often in pigs raised on wire-mesh or perforated floorings.

Overcrowding of pens promotes the competition for floor and feeding trough space. Double and triple decking of weaner cages is a common way of taking full advantage of the space available.

The pigs remain in the weaning facilities until they reach a body weight of 25 to 30 kg. Then they are moved to the growing facilities. The cages are cleaned and disinfected before the next group arrives.