The environmental requirements of the early-weaned pig

Extract

Early weaning represents a critical period in the life of a piglet since it is an abrupt process which removes the piglet from the comfort of the mother and the ad libitum supply of feed which she provides. Although the age at which piglets are weaned is variable, economic pressures encourage weaning at an early age as a means of shortening the reproductive cycle of the sow and thus improving her output. If a system of early weaning is to be successful it must supply the correct nutrition, enhance the natural disease resistance and provide an environment which creates least thermoregulatory demand on the animal. In addition, it should minimise disease challenge and avoid stressors such as those caused by overcrowding and inappropriate structural surfaces.