Iron for Outdoor Piglets Can Boost Weaning Weights
Piglets receiving 200mg of elemental iron within 48 hours of birth were heavier at weaning and needed fewer days to finish while the return on investment was 10:1, according to the latest Target 2TS newsletter from BPEX.Injecting newborn piglets with iron may be a routine procedure on most indoor units but, in outdoor herds, it is often perceived that enough iron is obtained from the soil.

Outdoor sows are now more prolific,
producing larger litters. These piglets
also have a higher growth potential,
which means there is more blood to
manufacture – of which iron is an important constituent. It is thought
piglets need about 10mg of iron a day
for maintenance and growth, whereas
sows’ milk only provides 1mg iron/litre.
A trial showed that supplementary iron
could boost weaning weights significantly
on outdoor units: weights were increased
by 0.6kg in some months, with an average
improvement of 0.26kg.
The trial involved splitting an 1,800-sow
herd in two, so half the herd’s piglets
received 200mg of elemental iron within
48 hours of birth. Piglets were weighed
at weaning. Results included:
- Increased weaning weights by 0.26kg
- Reduced days to finish
- Return on investment of 10:1.
Producers should discuss with their veterinarian before providing additional iron to piglets as, even when soils have been tested for iron content, it can be difficult to interpret the information accurately, as iron can be bound up with different elements.
April 2012