In normally developing suckling pigs, although a piglet breathes from soon after birth, the lung’s tissue increases its size and function during the first 14 days of life. The oxygen transfer continually improves during this time.
Development of the piglet’s intestines:
Massive weight-increase during the first hours following colostrum-intake
The piglet’s intestines are still not fully matured yet
High nutrient demand for fast growing intestines
Because hypothermic pigs
require more time after birth to ingest adequate colostrum
generally ingest less colostrum
Health issues of animals in nursery and finishing are not only caused by acute infections with bugs. Frequently they are caused by problems during the suckling period. In this booklet you will earn, how to recognise litters at risk, to judge the signals correctly and how to promote the health of the animals through targeted actions.
Udder development and colostrum production starts during late gestation but before the birth process has started.
The amount of colostrum that is produced depends on genetic and hormonal factors as well as body condition. The intrinsic quality of colostrum is also influenced by stress.
Correct water and feed supply to the sow in the last third of gestation is essential for optimal colostrum production.
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