Piglet Rearing: A Safe Start Into the First Weeks of Life

Piglet Rearing: The First Weeks Decide

A piglet is born wet and with very little energy in reserve. What happens in the first hours and weeks shapes daily gains and losses right through to weaning. Three things matter above all: warmth at the lying place, early access to solid feed and clean water at all times. On top of that comes the kit for the birth itself. Here you will find everything the farrowing pen needs for that.

Warmth, feed and water

Newborn piglets need around 34 degrees in the creep area, while the sow wants to lie at much cooler temperatures. You bridge that gap with a heat source above the creep area, which creates a defined warm zone and draws the piglets away from the sow. From the second week of life, creep feeding comes in. Shallow bowls with several feeding places bring the piglets to the feed together, and small portions several times a day keep it fresh. Alongside that, water has to be freely available, because without water intake feed intake never gets going. Nipples at piglet height or a shallow bowl do that job reliably.

Around the birth

If a farrowing drags on, calm and the right aids are what count. Birthing snares and hooks in piglet size, together with plenty of lubricant gel and clean disposable gloves, belong within reach of the farrowing pen. Keep a close watch on the sow without stepping in unnecessarily, and get veterinary advice early if you have doubts. Straight after the birth, quick drying off and access to colostrum in the first hours are what matter, because that is the only source of the piglet's immunity. Splay leg bands help individual animals that cannot get a footing on a smooth floor and find the udder.

Frequently asked questions

How warm does the creep area have to be?
Around 34 degrees on the first day, after which you drop it by about two degrees a week. Whether it is right you can see from the group: piglets lying stretched out side by side means it fits. A tight heap means too cold, scattered single animals too warm.

When do I start creep feeding?
From about the seventh to tenth day of life, in very small amounts. Freshness is what matters: better to put a handful down several times a day and take leftovers out than to fill the bowl once.

Do suckling piglets need their own water?
Yes. Milk alone does not cover the need once solid feed comes in. A drinker of their own at piglet height makes sure the animals can drink without competing with the sow.