Review: improving the performance of neonatal piglets

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DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2021.100350

Language of the publication
English
Date
2021-11-10
Type
Article
Author(s)
  • Farmer, C.
  • Edwards, S.A.
Publisher
Elsevier B.V.

Abstract

Newborn piglets have a high incidence of preweaning mortality that is not only associated with low birth weights but also with the presence of intra-uterine growth-restricted (IUGR) piglets. Such IUGR piglets are commonly seen in litters from hyperprolific sows as a result of insufficient placental transfer of nutrients. Nutritional strategies can be used prior to and during gestation to enhance foetal development and can also be implemented in the transition period to reduce the duration of farrowing and increase colostrum yield. Recent findings showed that the energy status of sows at the onset of farrowing is crucial to diminish stillbirth rate. Newborn piglets often fail to consume enough colostrum to promote thermostability and subsequent growth, and this is particularly problematic in very large litters when there are fewer available teats than the number of suckling piglets. One injection of 75 IU of oxytocin approximately 14 h after farrowing can prolong the colostral phase, hence increasing the supply of immunoglobulins to piglets. Nevertheless, assistance must be provided to piglets after birth in order to increase their chance of survival. Various approaches can be used, such as: (1) optimising the farrowing environment, (2) supervising farrowing and assisting newborn piglets, (3) using cross-fostering techniques, (4) providing nurse sows, and 5) providing artificial milk. Although research advances have been made in developing feeding and management strategies for sows that increase performance of their newborn piglets, much work still remains to be done to ensure that maximal outcomes are achieved.

Subject

  • Agriculture

Rights

Peer review

Yes

Open access level

Gold

Identifiers

ISSN
1751-732X

Article

Journal title
animal
Journal volume
16
Article number
100350
Accepted date
2021-07-26
Submitted date
2021-04-14

Citation(s)

Farmer, C., & Edwards, S. A. (2022). Review: Improving the performance of neonatal piglets. Animal, 16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2021.100350

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Collection(s)

Animals and insects

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