Selecting Piglets

Under current rural conditions, it is recommended to wean piglets at 4 to 5 weeks of age. Weaning too early can lead to poor growth due to inadequate preparation and feeding materials. Farmers raising early weaned piglets should first focus on market demand, ensuring they have a clear plan for selling the pigs in the future. Next, they must carefully select high-quality piglets, ideally those that are 4 to 5 weeks old with a body weight of around 8 kg, consuming at least 200 grams of feed per day. This can be assessed by monitoring fecal condition. Piglets that are not properly weaned may suffer from diarrhea and weight loss. It’s also essential to choose piglets that appear healthy, active, and show no signs of illness. Normal feces, proper quarantine, and up-to-date vaccination records are all key indicators of quality.

Feeding with Full-Price Feed

Early weaned piglets require specialized weaning feed rather than regular piglet or grower feed. A good weaning diet has three main features: First, it should be highly digestible to minimize stress on the digestive system. Common ingredients include whey powder, roasted soybeans, fish meal, plasma protein, and fat, often supplemented with enzymes like protease, amylase, pectinase, and phytase to aid digestion and reduce anti-nutritional factors. Second, acidifiers such as citric acid are added to maintain a gastric pH below 4, which enhances pepsin activity and improves protein digestion. Third, probiotics and prebiotics are included to support a healthy gut microbiome and improve overall digestive function. Proper use of these feeds helps reduce weaning stress, prevents post-weaning issues, and supports the development of both the digestive and immune systems.

Feeding Methods

An effective feeding strategy can help prevent common problems such as overeating leading to diarrhea or underfeeding causing slow growth. This method divides the early weaning period into two stages: from 6 to 12 kg and then from 12 to 20 kg, each lasting about 2.5 to 3 weeks. During the first stage, weaning feed is used (with approximately 13.5–14 Mcal/kg of metabolizable energy and 19–20% crude protein), and piglets are fed 5 times a day, every 2.5 hours, with each meal filled to about 80% capacity. Overfeeding can cause digestive upset. In the second stage, after using weaning feed, it’s important not to switch directly to regular grower feed. Instead, gradually mix the grower feed into the weaning feed, slowly replacing it. During this phase, feed 4 times daily, every 3 hours, and ensure no leftovers. Consistent feeding schedules support better digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall growth. By the end of the rearing period, typically around 8 to 9 weeks of age, piglets should weigh about 20 kg with a weight gain ratio of 1:1.6 to 1.8. At this point, they should be ready for slaughter.

Protective Goggles

Anti-splash Anti-fog High Impact Protective Goggles

Anti-Splash Goggles,Protective Goggles,Reusable Protective Goggles

Luck Medical Consumables Co.,LIMITED , https://www.luckmedical.com