Gut Function Key to Weaned Pig Performance
UK - Feed intake is often a key mediator of changes in the intestine after weaning, although other influences such as diet protein source can alter gut structure and function as well.Management can help manipulate the digestive system, which is often immature at weaning, to improve performance post-weaning and reduce susceptibility to disease:
- Creep feeding pre-weaning initiates important digestive and immunological
developments
- Digestibility of fat and proteins are
both factors that can cause digestive
upsets. Milk protein-based diets are
known to cause less problems
compared to soya-based diets
- Water is an important nutrient for a
weaned piglet. Improve water and
feed intake immediately after weaning
by feeding liquid
The piglet is often reluctant to eat for the first 24-48 hours postweaning, but this can be encouraged by adding adequate feed space in the form of long troughs to improve the accessibility of feed. Also, at this stage piglets like to all eat together. Aim to avoid a check in feed intake followed by a sudden increase, which can often lead to an upset digestive system.