Early Pig Care – Starting Pigs Right

David A. Baumert, D.V.M.Missouri Pork ExpoFebruary 13, 2013

Starting weaned pigs right for the right reasons

Golden Ideals vs. Practical World Start-up

Nursery management overview

Maintaining the right start with Individual Pig Care (IPC)

Overview

Animal welfare / Avoid Public (mis)perception

Economics◦ Sow reproductive gains◦ Older, healthier pigs being weaned◦ Availability of new or improved nutrients

Efficient use of employee labor and management

Personal Pride

Starting Pigs Right for the Right Reasons

Pigs are a minimum of 21 days of age;

Pigs average 14 lbs at weaning;

Pigs age range of <7 days at the site;

Maximum of 2 weaned groups into an air space;

PRRS virus, Mycoplasma pneumonia, and Swine influenza (flu) virus free;

Single sow source;M. Eisenmenger 2009

Golden Ideals . . . .

Pigs may be weaned younger than 21 days;

Normal distribution of ‘14 lbs pigs’ will have 25 pigs per 1,000 head at <10 lbs;

Small flows/large barns may fill over a long period of time, have multiple small weaned groups, or come from multiple sources;

PRRS virus, Mycoplasma pneumonia, and/or Flu virus;

Pigs with special needs need to have special handling (heat / mat space/ mat feeding);

. . . vs. the Real World

Drivers of Successful Early Pig Care include:◦ Health◦ Pig size / Distribution◦ Feed◦ Water◦ Transportation◦ Sorting◦ Facilities◦ Vaccinations◦ People◦ Individual Pig Care

Nursery Management Overview

PRRS virus

Mycoplasma hyopneumonia

Flu virus

Also, APP, TGE, Ileitis, & Swine Dysentery

Health for the Right Start

14 lb average

Statistical examination: Standard deviation will be approximately 2 lbs;

65% of pigs will be 12-16 lbs; 95% of pigs will be 10 – 18 lbs; 2 ½% of pigs will be <10 lbs; (2 ½% >18 lbs)

Industry standard: no pigs less than 6 lbs;

Pig size/Distribution for the Right Start

Creep feeding◦ Purpose◦ Amount / time frame

Post-wean feeding◦ Availability◦ Mat feeding◦ Antibiotics, supplements

On-feed targets

Feed for the Right Start

Easy, ready access at arrival to the nursery;

Excess Water intake / decreased feed intake;

Evidence of placement dehydration

Water acidification

Water for the Right Start

Clean, dry, temperature controlled, not crowded;

Re-transporting of pigs and re-washing of trucks for ‘double-stocking’

Transportation for the Right Start

Not all vaccines are equal◦ Piglet response◦ Injection site lesion◦ Feed intake and daily gain

Reaction does not equal protection

‘Pre-wean’ rather than ‘at-’ or ‘post-wean’

Vaccinations for the Right Start

People characteristics:◦ Organized◦ Compassionate◦ Detail oriented

‘7-day care Crews’

Extended hours ? ? ?

People for the Right Start

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Why Individual Pig Care?

Barn level Pen level Pig level

Daily walk-throughs should include three levels

Credits Dr. Mike Eisenminger

Careful but quick head to tail, top to bottom observation of each pig individually

◦ 1 second per pig (20 minutes / 1200 head barn)◦ Compare each to the ideal◦ Only way we find “A” pigs!

Using time wisely◦ Be prepared to chore the barn◦ Spend time with “asset pigs” versus “liability pigs”

Understanding treatment expectations◦ A versus B versus C

How many pigs do we expect people to treat?◦ Nursery: 30%◦ Early finish: 10% 2007 Doane

Pig Level Detail

“A” Pig

“B” Pig

“C” Pig

Understanding A, B & C sick pigs Caretakers must understand the following:

◦ All sick pigs start their disease event as an “A” pig;

“A” clinical signs include usually the following: Usually looks like a healthy pig until further

investigation. An “A” pig is not easily found especially if individuals are not assessed

Usually in full flesh and/or bloom May or may NOT be gaunt based on the length of

time the pig has been sick May or may NOT be rough haired. If fuzzy, this

might be due to weather conditions or bad environment

Commonly depressed Listless ears and dull, red or weepy eyes are

common Commonly hard breathing/thumping if respiratory

“A” Pigs

Understanding A, B & C sick pigs Caretakers must understand the following:

◦ Remember, all sick pigs start their disease event as an “A” pig;

“B” clinical signs include definite gauntness; thinner, slab sided

beginnings of flesh loss, some spine showing Rough hair is common May be have a soiled coat due to laying down more than

healthy pigs Black exudate around the eyes, listless ears

“B” Pigs

Understanding A, B & C sick pigs

Caretakers must understand the following:◦ Remember, all sick pigs start their disease event as an

“A” pig

“C” clinical signs include severe gauntness and thin advanced tissue loss, typically the spine is showing severe depression and nearing euthanasia

“C” Pig

Understanding A, B & C sick pigs Caretakers must understand the following:

◦ A sick pig found and treated in the “A” category gives us the best chance for treatment success. This pig can likely stay in his original pen with his contemporaries. To be an “A”, the sick pig needs to be found the first 24-36 hours of illness

◦ A sick pig not found as an “A” and is allowed to develop into a “B” sick pig has moderate to low treatment success potential and should be moved to the sick pen

◦ A sick pig that has developed further clinical signs and has digressed to a “C” pig has a poor chance to respond to antibiotic treatment and needs to be moved to the sick pen

◦ Once a pig has been given a chance to compete and has been treated according to farm protocol euthanasia techniques outlined by the veterinarian should be administered to limit further suffering by the pig and further wasted resources.

ABC Theoretical Treatment Success

Though not documented in clinical studies, it is of general opinion that if,◦ “A” pigs have a 75% cure rate,◦ Then “B” pigs will have a 50% cure rate,◦ And “C” pigs will have only a 25% cure rate.

These points should motivate all of us to walk pens and use keen observation to find sick pigs as “A’s”. B’s and C’s are harder to get back on track to full value

What to look for:◦ Heads

#1 Treating Pigs

What to look for:◦ Body fill◦ Tissue Hydration

#2 Treating Pigs

Versus

What to look for:◦ Posture◦ Depression

#3 Treating Pigs

Written protocols to be executed clearly;

Health is king and must be protected at the sow-farm level;

First seven days of performance sets the stage for the next 23 weeks of grow/finish performance;

Starting Pigs Right

Thank you to the Missouri Pork Producer Association for inviting me to speak today;◦ www.mopork.com

Thank you to Pfizer Animal Health for sponsoring this portion of today’s sessions;

Questions??