Newborn piglets are precocial, opening their eyes and attempting to stand and walk shortly after birth. They are typically born in litters. This initial period is a rapid transition, where their environment and early interactions significantly influence their survival and healthy development.
Immediate Post-Birth Needs
The first hours after birth are sensitive for newborn piglets, requiring specific attention for their survival. Piglets are vulnerable to cold due to limited body fat, sparse hair, and inability to shiver effectively. An ideal environmental temperature is 32-35 degrees Celsius (90-95 degrees Fahrenheit), provided through heat lamps or heated mats.
Prompt drying after birth prevents chilling. A wet piglet loses heat rapidly, increasing hypothermia risk. Drying helps maintain body temperature and encourages activity, promoting teat search.
Colostrum, the sow’s first milk, is the most important immediate need. It is rich in antibodies, providing passive immunity against diseases. Piglets rely on these maternal antibodies as their primary defense. Antibody absorption is time-sensitive due to “gut closure,” where the intestinal lining loses its ability to absorb large antibody molecules. Therefore, every piglet must nurse successfully and consume adequate colostrum within the first 6 to 12 hours of life to gain this protective immunity.
Routine Husbandry Procedures
Within their first week, piglets undergo several routine husbandry procedures.
Iron Supplementation
Iron supplementation, usually administered as an intramuscular injection, is common. Sow’s milk is low in iron, and piglets have limited iron reserves, making them prone to anemia. This shot helps prevent deficiency and supports rapid growth.
Needle Teeth Clipping
Needle teeth clipping protects the sow and littermates. Piglets are born with eight small, sharp teeth. These can cause lacerations on the sow’s udder during nursing or injure other piglets when they compete for teats, potentially leading to infections. Clipping reduces injury risk.
Tail Docking and Identification
Tail docking shortens the piglet’s tail, preventing tail-biting behavior later in life. Tail-biting can lead to severe injuries, pain, and secondary infections. Removing part of the tail reduces this behavior. Identification methods, such as ear notching or tagging, allow for individual record-keeping, facilitating health monitoring and management decisions.
Common Health Risks and Ailments
Newborn piglets face several health risks impacting their survival.
Crushing
Crushing by the sow is a leading cause of mortality, especially during the first few days after birth. The sow’s large size and movements can accidentally injure or suffocate piglets. Farrowing crates or rails provide a protected area for piglets while allowing sow access for nursing.
Starvation
Starvation is another serious threat, often affecting weaker or smaller piglets. These piglets may have low energy reserves, struggle to compete for a functional teat, or fail to latch effectively. Close observation identifies piglets not receiving adequate milk, as they weaken quickly without sufficient nutrition.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia, or chilling, occurs when a piglet’s body temperature drops dangerously low. Symptoms include shivering, lethargy, and a reduced drive to nurse. A chilled piglet becomes vulnerable to other diseases and can quickly succumb to the cold.
Scours
Scours, or diarrhea, is a common ailment in young piglets that causes rapid dehydration and can be fatal if not addressed promptly. It is often caused by bacterial or viral infections. Watery feces lead to significant fluid and electrolyte loss, weakening the piglet. Maintaining a clean farrowing environment reduces pathogen load and minimizes scours outbreaks.
Early Development and Behavior
Newborn piglets exhibit developmental and social behaviors.
Teat Order
One of the earliest and most notable behaviors is the establishment of a “teat order” within the litter. Soon after birth, piglets will compete vigorously for access to the sow’s teats, often engaging in pushing and biting until each piglet claims a specific teat. Once established, individual piglets will consistently return to their chosen teat for every feeding. The anterior teats, located towards the sow’s head, are generally preferred because they tend to produce more milk.
Growth Rate
Piglets demonstrate an impressive growth rate during their initial weeks of life. It is common for a healthy piglet to double its birth weight within the first seven days, a testament to the nutritional richness of sow’s milk and their rapid metabolic rate. This rapid growth continues, with piglets reaching significant weights before weaning.
Sensory and Social Development
Their sensory and social development also progresses quickly. Within days, their senses, particularly smell and touch, become refined, aiding their navigation towards the sow and littermates. They begin to interact with their siblings beyond just competing for milk, engaging in playful behaviors and forming early social bonds within the litter. These interactions are foundational to their social structure as they mature.